Follow this link to skip to the main content
Hurricanes: Science and Society
Hurricane Hazards and Impacts
Hurricane Winds at Landfall
Tornadoes
Hurricane Impacts Due to Storm Surge, Wave, and Coastal Flooding
Rainfall and Inland Flooding
Homeowner Perspective. What can a hurricane do to a home?
Community Perspective: What can a hurricane do to a community?
Ecosystem Perspective: What can a hurricane do to the environment?
Mitigation and Preparation to Response and Recovery
Home > Hurricanes & Society > Hurricane Hazards and Impacts
Hurricane Hazards and Impacts

Hurricanes are among the most powerful natural hazards known to humankind. During a hurricane, residential, commercial, and public buildings, as well as critical infrastructure such as transportation, water, energy, and communication systems may be damaged or destroyed by several of the impacts associated with hurricanes. Wind and water are the twin perils associated with hurricanes and both can be tremendously destructive and deadly.

Photo showing the damage on Bolivar Peninsula, TX after Hurricane Ike (2008)
After Hurricane Ike - a number of houses remained standing next to pilings where neighboring houses once stood in Bolivar Peninsula, TX (September 24, 2008). Of the 5,900 buildings standing on Bolivar Peninsula before Ike, approximately 3,600 were destroyed and at least 400 others sustained major damage. Only an estimated 100 buildings were undamaged or sustained only minimal damage from the hurricane. Credit: Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA.
Hurricane Hazards and Impacts