Washington, D.C. — A new report from the Center for American Progress shows how climate change-fueled hurricanes are increasingly destructive, raising costs, increasing health risks, and deepening social inequities across the United States.
The most damaging hurricanes in the United States are now occurring three times more often than they did a century ago, and since 1980, the proportion of major hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean has doubled. As ocean and air temperatures continue to rise, the risks associated with hurricanes only grow more severe.
Hurricanes also leave behind a yearslong trail of premature death, disease, and disrupted health care. Health burdens from hurricanes can persist for years. Research has shown elevated rates of heart conditions, respiratory illness, and nervous system disorders following hurricanes—especially among older adults and medically vulnerable populations
The report finds that:
- Hurricanes are the most expensive climate-related disasters in U.S. history, with more than $1.5 trillion in damages since 1980, including a record-setting $500 billion in total damages and economic losses from the 2024 season alone.
- Hurricanes hit working-class, low-income, and underserved communities hardest
- Climate-driven hurricanes cause destruction beyond what ecosystems have evolved to withstand
The report argues that federal, state, and local leaders can keep communities and families safe and lower disaster costs by rebuilding with resilience—including by elevating buildings, reinforcing utilities, and using smarter zoning and development practices. Prioritizing resilience allows decision-makers to build better-equipped communities that will withstand future climate disasters and prosper.
Read the report: “Climate Change-Fueled Hurricanes Are Increasingly Destructive and Costly for U.S. Communities” by Devon Lespier, Kalina Gibson, and Cathleen Kelly
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].