The International Hurricane Research Center has released a Top 10 list that nobody really wants to brag about being on — 10 Most Vulnerable U.S. Mainland Areas to Hurricanes.

Due to its long shoreline that includes both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, Florida dominated the list with four out of the 10 most vulnerable areas. But the study put New Orleans at the top of the list because its levees still are only classified as being in “a little better shape” than when Katrina ravaged them and flooded nearly 80 percent of the area a year ago.

The U.S. mainland areas' vulnerability to hurricanes were evaluated on 12 criteria such as cyclonic energy, levee/dike structure, storm surge, flooding potential and socioeconomic indicators such as evacuation distance/routes and local/state capabilities to respond to major hurricane events.

Here's a breakdown of the Top 10:

1. New Orleans, Louisiana

2. Lake Okeechobee, Florida

3. Florida Keys

4. Coastal Mississippi

5. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

6. Galveston/Houston, Texas

7. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

8. Eastern Long Island, New York

9. Wilmington, North Carolina

10. Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida

Special Reports /

The Top Ten Most Vulnerable to Hurricanes

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