Stronger hurricane winds threaten homes — even away from the coasts

Coastal and river communities in the U.S. today face increased flooding as climate change creates conditions linked to stronger hurricanes, But there's another, less-known danger: More powerful winds that can down power lines, blow roofs off homes and cause billions in property damage, according to new research.

By midcentury, hurricanes will endanger an additional 13.4 million properties that are not currently threatened, found the First Street Foundation, a climate change nonprofit that calculates damage from weather disasters. In addition to increased flood risk along the East Coast, more properties located inland and northward — outside of what residents think of as a typical "hurricane" zone — face the prospect of severe wind damage.

"Proportionately, we're expecting to have more major storms — more category threes, fours and fives," said Ed Kearns, chief data officer at the First Street Foundation.