Why Some Hurricanes Are Worse

Three factors determine a hurricane's destructive power beyond wind speed: storm surge height, rainfall intensity, and forward speed. A slow-moving hurricane dumps more rain on one area, causing catastrophic flooding. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 stalled over Houston for days, dropping over 1,500 mm of rain and causing $125 billion in damage.

Climate change is making hurricanes more dangerous. Warmer oceans provide more fuel. Warmer air holds more moisture, increasing rainfall. Rising sea levels amplify storm surge. While the total number of hurricanes may not increase, the proportion of intense Category 4 and 5 storms is growing.