According to a new national survey, residents of Mid-Atlantic states report the highest level of concerns about hurricanes. In a year when NOAA is predicting a hyper-active hurricane season, 67% of Mid-Atlantic residents are concerned that their area will be impacted, compared to 48% of Americans overall.
While many associate hurricanes with South Atlantic and South Central states, especially those hugging the Gulf of Mexico, residents of the Mid-Atlantic region have suffered their share of storms, including the historically devastating Hurricane Sandy (often referred to as “Superstorm Sandy”) in 2012 and Hurricane Ida, which flooded NYC subways in 2021.
Nearly half of Mid-Atlantic residents (49%) report that their level of concern has increased in the last year – in contrast to 31% in the South Atlantic region, 26% in the South Central region, and 31% overall.
At 59%, Mid-Atlantic residents were the second most likely to report that they have been personally impacted by a hurricane, close behind residents of the South Atlantic region (which includes Florida) at 61%. That compares to 43% of respondents nationally.