States Ranked by Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Hail

By the number of tropical systems that came within range of at least one of their cities, the leading states are Florida (335), North Carolina (233), South Carolina (186). Counting only storms that were hurricanes at their closest pass to one of the state's cities, the leaders are Florida (140), North Carolina (81), Texas (77), and for major hurricanes Florida (54), Louisiana (23), Texas (23). 28 of the 52 have never had a hurricane-strength storm pass that close to one of their cities, and 13 have had no tropical system at all.

A storm that crossed several states counts once in each of them, so these totals add up to far more than the number of storms.

The most tornadoes since 1950 were recorded in Texas (9,610), Kansas (4,582), Oklahoma (4,484). By tornadoes rated 3 or higher the order is Texas (401), Oklahoma (268), Kansas (241), and by deaths Alabama (679), Texas (609), Mississippi (505). The fewest on record among the states here is the District of Columbia, with 3. SPC lists a tornado that crossed state lines once, under one state, so border areas are slightly under-counted in the neighbouring state.

The most hail reports since 1955 come from Texas (53,494), Kansas (39,194), Oklahoma (30,288); by reports of 2 inches or more, from Texas (6,275), Kansas (3,165), Oklahoma (2,696). Hail reports depend on someone being there to see the hail and report it, so populated and well-travelled areas are over-represented in these counts.

Totals reward size, so two ratios help. Among states with at least 1,000 tornadoes on record, the most deaths per 100 tornadoes are in Tennessee (29.9), Alabama (25.3), Arkansas (19.9), and the fewest in Colorado (0.2), South Dakota (0.9), Nebraska (1.7).

Among states with at least 50 tropical systems near their cities, the highest share that were hurricanes at the closest pass is in Texas (52%), Puerto Rico (48%), Louisiana (45%); the lowest in Pennsylvania (13%), Maine (17%), New Hampshire (20%). Inland and northern states see many systems only after they have weakened, which is what a low share reflects.

One state ranks in the top fifteen for all three counts: Texas. The full table follows; each state links to its page, which lists every city with its storms, and the state index has the same states with city counts.