NC is one of the most at-risk states for hurricanes, report says. Here’s why
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- North Carolina ranks third for homes at risk from hurricane winds with 3.1 million.
- North Carolina ranks seventh for homes at risk from hurricane storm surge.
- Reconstruction value for at-risk North Carolina homes exceeds $1.1 trillion for winds.
North Carolina ranks among the states with the most homes at risk from hurricane winds and storm surge, according to a new report.
The state only trails Florida and Texas in a new report that estimates there are 3.1 million homes at risk in North Carolina from hurricane winds and seventh for storm surge, according to Cotality, a data and information analytics company.
The total reconstruction value cost for North Carolina homes at risk from hurricane winds tops $1.1 trillion and nearly $80 billion for homes at risk of hurricane flooding.
Charlotte and the surrounding area ranked eighth for ”moderate or greater risk to hurricane wind damage” by metropolitan area with about 850,000 homes at risk, according to the report.
“Traditional flood maps have long provided a vital baseline for the industry, but as hurricane-driven rainfall becomes more intense and reaches further inland, it’s clear that seeing the full picture requires a higher-definition lens,” said Maiclaire Bolton-Smith, vice president of insurance market insights of Cotality, in a news release. “By looking beyond traditional boundaries and analyzing structural elevation data down to the individual property level, we are expanding the view for homeowners and insurers to help prevent unexpected financial losses.”
Flooding outside high-risk zones
Between 1996 and 2020, about 43% of North Carolina buildings flooded outside high-risk zones, The News & Observer previously reported. Tropical Storm Chantal, the only storm to make landfall in the United States in 2025, displaced dozens of residents and resulted in more than $40 million in damages in central North Carolina.
Some residents told The News & Observer the aftermath, including outdated flood maps and trying to rebuild without insurance, was more challenging than the storm itself.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a below-average hurricane season, which begins June 1, but officials stressed even one storm can cause significant damage.
Reporter Chantal Allam contributed to this report.
This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 7:00 AM with the headline "NC is one of the most at-risk states for hurricanes, report says. Here’s why."
