Courtesy of LawnStarter
This article is adapted from a longer article available here.
Which U.S. counties are most in harm’s way this hurricane season?
With slashes to federal funding – including FEMA and disaster relief programs – and with NOAA predicting an “above-normal” storm season, it’s smart to get prepared now for the summer weather. LawnStarter ranked 2025’s Most (& Least) Affected Counties by Hurricanes using 10 metrics across 4 categories. LawnStarter ranked 318 U.S. counties in total. Here are the top 12 counties most likely to be affected by hurricanes in 2025 (NOTE: throughout this article, bolded counties are in the Lifestyles After 50 readership area):
1. Bay County, FL
2. Lee County, FL
3. Terrebonne Parish, LA
4. Polk County, FL
5. Charlotte County, FL
6. Osceola County, FL
7. Collier County, FL
8. Hillsborough County, FL
9. Lafourche Parish, LA
10. Sarasota County, FL
11. Taylor County, FL
12. Manatee County, FL
Some more findings? A staggering $5.8 billion in expected annual hurricane damages is concentrated in just 10 counties, nearly one-third of the projected nationwide loss.
Other stormy stats:
- Over the past 10 years, 215 of the 318 ranked counties saw at least 50% or more of their hurricanes reach Category 3 or stronger.
- 43 counties have weathered 10 or more hurricanes in the past decade.
- Nearly 50 counties have endured 4 Category 5 storms since 2015.
Related: June Is Here, and With It, Hurricane Season
In 2024, hurricanes were among the most damaging disasters in the U.S., with billions in property losses and widespread power outages. As storms grow more intense, your yard can be both a hazard zone and a first line of defense.
“Have a hurricane plan in place now,” advises Gregory S. Jenkins, Professor of Meteorology at Penn State. “Know where your valuables are kept and keep phone contacts and important documents in a Ziplock bag in case of flooding.”
From fencing to fallen trees, hurricane winds can tear through outdoor spaces in minutes. With a few smart moves, you can reduce risks and protect your home’s exterior:
- Walk your yard early in hurricane season to identify hazards and create a prep checklist.
- Secure or store patio items like furniture, grills, and décor before a storm.
- Remove dead branches and trim trees regularly to minimize the risk of downed limbs and roof damage.
- Use wind-resistant landscaping with deep-rooted native plants and ground covers.
- Replace gravel mulch with bark or rubber mulch that won’t become flying debris.
- Reinforce fencing or replace old posts to reduce collapse risk.
- Clean gutters and keep drains clear to prevent yard flooding.
- Clean up yard debris after a storm to prevent injuries and restore order.
With the 2025 hurricane season predicted to be especially active, prepping your yard now can limit damage to your home and help mitigate cleanup when the next storm hits. Read the full article at https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/most-hurricane-vulnerable-counties/.
Top 10 Counties with the Highest Anticipated (Annual) Financial Loss Due to Hurricane Damage
(NOTE: bolded counties are in the Lifestyles After 50 readership area)
1. Harris County, TX (Houston, Pasadena, Atascocita): $1.15 billion
2. Broward County, FL (Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood): $894.8 million
3. Palm Beach County, FL (West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach): $863.8 million
4. Miami-Dade County, FL (Miami, Hialeah, Miami Gardens): $831.7 million
5. Hillsborough County, FL (Tampa, Brandon, Riverview): $441.6 million
6. Lee County, FL (Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Fort Myers): $387.9 million
7. Brevard County, FL (Orlando, Palm Bay, Melbourne): $365.9 million
8. Charleston County, SC (Charleston, Mount Pleasant, James Island): $358.2 million
9. Pinellas County, FL (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo): $286.7 million
10. Collier County, FL (Golden Gate, Immokalee, Naples): $281.1 million
