Cotality, a global provider of property information, analytics and technology-enabled data solutions, has published new research showing that New York has the largest concentration of homes exposed to hurricane-related risks in the United States.
In its 2026 Hurricane Risk Report, Cotality estimates that more than 3.27 million homes across New York face moderate or higher levels of hurricane wind risk. The company said these properties represent nearly $1.93 trillion in reconstruction cost value (RCV), placing the region ahead of major metropolitan areas in Florida and Texas.
The report states that more than 32.2 million homes nationwide are exposed to hurricane wind risk, representing in excess of $12.26 trillion in reconstruction cost value.
Cotality said the findings demonstrate how hurricane-related threats are affecting areas beyond traditionally recognised coastal risk zones, while also exposing gaps in flood insurance coverage.
According to Cotality, the New York metropolitan area ranks highest in the country for the number of homes vulnerable to both hurricane winds and storm surge. The company linked this level of exposure to the area’s dense population and high-value coastal housing stock.
Cotality’s analysis places Houston second for overall hurricane exposure, with 2.17 million homes identified as at risk and around $824 billion in exposed value. Miami ranks third, with approximately 2.04 million homes exposed and an estimated $616 billion in reconstruction cost value.
The report also identifies New York as the leading US market for storm surge exposure, with more than 631,000 homes considered at risk, representing roughly $329 billion in reconstruction cost value. Miami follows in second place, ahead of Tampa, New Orleans and Cape Coral.
“While hurricanes hit the Northeast less frequently than the Gulf Coast, the region’s immense population density and property value mean the stakes are incredibly high,” commented Maiclaire Bolton-Smith, Vice President of Insurance Market Insights at Cotality. “It’s critical that homeowners in the northeast understand that while landfalling hurricanes may not be as frequent as other states, the risk is still real.
“A single event can cause historic financial loss, making early mitigation a critical investment that pays significant dividends when a storm inevitably makes landfall.”
At state level, Cotality said Florida continues to have the highest concentration of hurricane exposure in the country. The company estimates that around 8.25 million homes in the state face moderate or greater hurricane wind risk, accounting for more than $2.56 trillion in reconstruction cost value. Texas ranks second with close to 4.8 million at-risk homes, while North Carolina follows with more than 3.1 million exposed properties.
Cotality also found that Florida records the highest level of storm surge exposure nationwide, with approximately 2.47 million homes at risk and nearly $748 billion in exposed property value. According to the company, this total is more than three times higher than Louisiana, which ranks second among US states.
The report further highlights what Cotality describes as a significant hidden flood risk across the country. More than 927,000 homes, representing around $405 billion in property value, are said to face severe hurricane-related flood risk despite being located outside federally required flood insurance zones. Cotality estimates these homes contribute to approximately $1.73 billion in annual flood-related losses.
Louisiana was identified by Cotality as one of the states with the highest levels of hidden flood exposure. Orleans Parish alone accounts for more than $41.8 billion in at-risk property value outside mandatory insurance zones, followed by neighbouring Jefferson Parish at $28.6 billion. Brevard County in Florida, Harris County in Texas and Suffolk County in New York were also listed among the most exposed counties in 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,” added Bolton-Smith.
“By looking beyond traditional boundaries and analysing structural elevation data down to the individual property level, we are expanding the view for homeowners and insurers to help prevent unexpected financial losses.”
