These U.S. Cities Have Been Hit by the Most Category 3+ Hurricanes - Here’s What the Data Shows
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is already underway, with early storm activity offering a reminder of how unpredictable these systems can be. While not every tropical storm develops into a major hurricane, long-term data suggests that certain parts of the United States are far more likely to experience the most powerful storms. Forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicate a strong chance of an above-average season, with multiple major hurricanes expected.
To better understand where these storms hit hardest, this analysis examines historical hurricane track data from 1842 through 2022. By focusing specifically on Category 3 and higher storms, it highlights the cities that have experienced the most intense hurricane impacts over time. The results reveal clear geographic patterns, with coastal regions in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi facing the highest concentration of powerful storms. These trends offer insight into both historical risk and the regions most vulnerable to future hurricane activity.
50. Starks, LA
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1918 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
49. Marco Shores-Hammock Bay, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Wilma 2005 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
48. Big Point, MS
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Frederic 1979 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
47. Hurley, MS
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Frederic 1979 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
46. Fort Myers Beach, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Donna 1960 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
45. Iona, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Donna 1960 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
44. Cape Coral, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Donna 1960 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
43. Goodland, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Donna 1960 (123.1 mph max wind speed)
42. Bayview, TX
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Beulah 1967 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
41. Vinton, LA
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Audrey 1957 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
40. Laguna Vista, TX
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Beulah 1967 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
39. Port Isabel, TX
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Beulah 1967 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
38. Gulf Breeze, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Dennis 2005 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
37. Medley, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
36. Port Sulphur, LA
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1893 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
35. El Portal, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
34. Cut Off, LA
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Betsy 1965 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
33. Galliano, LA
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Betsy 1965 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
32. Southwest Ranches, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
31. Weston, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
30. Miami Beach, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
29. Davie, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
28. Miami Gardens, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
27. Miramar, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
26. Pembroke Pines, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
25. Hialeah, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
24. Miami, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
23. Empire, LA
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Katrina 2005 (133.5 mph max wind speed)
22. Liverpool, TX
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1900 (138.1 mph max wind speed)
21. Galveston, TX
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1900 (138.1 mph max wind speed)
20. Los Fresnos, TX
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1880 (139.2 mph max wind speed)
19. Marathon, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Donna 1960 (143.8 mph max wind speed)
18. Coral Gables, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1926 (143.8 mph max wind speed)
17. Cameron, LA
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Laura 2020 (149.6 mph max wind speed)
16. Hackberry, LA
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Laura 2020 (149.6 mph max wind speed)
15. Brazoria, TX
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1932 (149.6 mph max wind speed)
14. Leisure City, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Andrew 1992 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
13. South Miami Heights, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Andrew 1992 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
12. Cutler Bay, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Andrew 1992 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
11. Homestead, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Andrew 1992 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
10. Diamondhead, MS
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Camille 1969 (172.6 mph max wind speed)
9. Picayune, MS
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Camille 1969 (172.6 mph max wind speed)
8. Duck Key, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1935 (184.1 mph max wind speed)
7. Key Largo, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1926 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
6. Brownsville, TX
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1880 (139.2 mph max wind speed)
5. Alvin, TX
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1932 (149.6 mph max wind speed)
4. Sanibel, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1935 (157.7 mph max wind speed)
3. Marco Island, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1935 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
2. Princeton, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
Most powerful storm: Hurricane Andrew 1992 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
1. Islamorada, Village of Islands, FL
Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 5 storms
Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1935 (184.1 mph max wind speed)
