More than 6.5 million US homes along the Atlantic coastline and Gulf Coast region are at risk of storm surge inundation, representing nearly $1.5 trillion in potential reconstruction costs according to a CoreLogic storm surge analysis released last week.
Of that $1.5 trillion in risk, $986 billion is concentrated in 15 major metro areas.
Unsurprisingly, Florida leads the way for the highest number of homes at risk (2.5 million), containing the second- and third-ranked metro areas of Miami and Tampa. New York City represents the highest number of homes at risk (687,412) as well as the highest total value of homes exposed ($251 billion).
With that level of risk, producers in the following 10 metro areas have a powerful case to present to home and business owners who have not yet purchased the proper coverage.
“Though the 2013 hurricane season will be remembered for the fact that no storms made landfall along the U.S. coast, this reprieve from hurricane-related damage should not lead to complacency in preparing for future storms and the potential life-threatening conditions they can bring,” said Dr. Thomas Jeffery, senior hazard scientist for CoreLogic Spatial Solutions.
“This year’s season is projected to be slightly below normal in hurricane activity, but the early arrival of Hurricane Arthur on July 3 is an important reminder that even a low-category hurricane or strong tropical storm can create powerful riptides, modest flooding and cause significant destruction of property.”
The top 10 metro areas at risk for hurricane storm surge damage include:
10. Naples, Fla.
Total properties potentially affected by hurricanes: 177,651
Total reconstruction value: $41.259 billion
9. Philadelphia, Pa.
Total properties potentially affected by hurricanes: 213,668
Total reconstruction value: $42.204 billion
8. Houston, Tex.
Total properties potentially affected by hurricanes: 216,880
Total reconstruction value: $41.903 billion
7. Bradenton, Fla.
Total properties potentially affected by hurricanes: 227,821
Total reconstruction value: $42.955 billion
6. Cape Coral, Fla.
Total properties potentially affected by hurricanes: 299,508
Total reconstruction value: $60.43 billion
5. New Orleans, La.
Total properties potentially affected by hurricanes: 381,149
Total reconstruction value: $85.679 billion
4. Virginia Beach, Va.
Total properties potentially affected by hurricanes: 394,705
Total reconstruction value: $87.178 billion
3. Tampa, Fla.
Total properties potentially affected by hurricanes: 444,765
Total reconstruction value: $79.149 billion
2. Miami, Fla.
Total properties potentially affected by hurricanes: 562,410
Total reconstruction value: $103.16 billion
1. New York, N.Y.
Total properties potentially affected by hurricanes: 687,412
Total reconstruction value: $251.038 billion
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