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�.. intensity , survive in higher latitudes , and develop storm tracts that could shift farther north , producing more U . S . landfalls . Currently an average of 1 . 6 hurricanes strike the U . S . every year. Severe ( Category 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale ) hurricanes strike the U . S . on the average of one every 5 . 75 years . Annually , hurricanes are estimated to cause approxim tely $ 1 . 2 billion in damages . The proximity of dense population to the Atlantic OCE an , as well as the generally low coastal elevations , significantly increases the County' s vulnerability , The potential for property damage and human casualties in Indian River County hce s increased over the last several decades primarily because of the rapid growth this County has experienced since 1970 , particularly along the vulnerable coastline areas . Since 1886 , 51 storms of hurricane intensity have passed within 125 miles of Indian River County . This represents an average of one hurricane every 2 years . The number of direct hits on the southeastern Florida coastline between 1899 and 1999 has been as follows : • Category 1 Storms (winds 74 to 95 mph ) = 5 storms (4 % annual probability) ; • Category 2 Storms (winds 96 to 110 mph ) = 10 storms ( 10% annual probability) ; • Category 3 Storms (winds 111 to 130 mph ) = 7 storms (7 % annual probability) ; • Category 4 Storms (winds 131 to 155 mph ) = 6 storms ( 6 % annual probability) ; and Category 5 Storms (winds > 155 mph ) = 1 storm ( 1 % annual probability) For many years , the risk of significant loss of life and property due to hurricanes seemed small . Many , if not the majority of existing homes and business along the U . S . Atlantic and Gulf Coasts were located there during the 1970 ' s and 1980 ' s , a period of relatively inactive hurricane formation . Most of the people currently living and working in coastal areas have never experienced the impact of a major hurricane . Hurri anes that impacted Florida during the 1970 ' s and 80 ' s were infrequent and of relatively ow intensity . Homeowners , business interest , and government officials grew to regard hurr cane risk as manageable by private insurance supplemented occasionally by Federal disc ter funding and subsidized flood insurance . The hurricane risk did not seem sufficient to Narrant increased investment in mitigation . Two major hurricanes , Hugo in 1989 and Andrew in 1992 , forced a re-evaluation of this risk assessment . While experts sometimes disagree on the annual cost, all sources agree that Hurricane Andrew was the most costly hurricane event ever to affect the U . S . Insured losses from Hurricane Andrew topped $ 17 billion , and most sources agree that the total cost of Hurricane Andrew exceeded $ 25 bill on . Florida is the most vulnerable state in the nation to the impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms . South Central Florida is particularly exposed to the dangers presented by hurricanes due to its topography . The region is largely a flat , low- lying plain . The potential for property damage and human casualties in Indian River County has been increased by the rapid growth of the County over the last few decades , particularly along the coastline . Population risk also has been exacerbated by some complacency due to the recent period of reduced hurricane frequency . *4%W 4-23