Part 6/12:
Graphical data shows that the annual number of hurricanes hitting the U.S. has plateaued or even slightly decreased in recent decades, with some years experiencing periods of no major storms. Furthermore, the number of very strong hurricanes (categories 4 and 5) appearing in recent years has increased, raising understandable concerns but also highlighting the importance of context.
Are Hurricanes Truly More Dangerous Now?
The data supports that overall storm activity hasn't skyrocketed; if anything, the number of hurricanes landfalling annually appears stable or decreasing over long timescales. However, hurricanes that do occur tend to be more intense, which could lead to more damage per storm, and this is consistent with some climate models predicting increased storm strength.