When a tropical system makes landfall, it is far from the finish line in terms of impacts. About 25% of deaths from hurricanes and tropical storms do not occur at the coast.

But if the wind speed weakens after landfall, why is this the case? We break it down here:

Q: Why do storms weaken when they reach land?

A: Hurricanes and tropical storms are basically giant heat engines, and warm water is their fuel. When the ocean surface is warm, lots of water evaporates into the air. As the air rises, it condenses into clouds, releasing heat — essentially allowing the storm to sustain itself. This allows storms to continue to build their strength over warm ocean waters, but that also means they weaken once they lose access to that fuel over land.

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(MORE: The 3 longest-lived storms in the Atlantic)

Q: If the storm weakens inland, why is it still dangerous?

A: This is because all the moisture the storm already pulled up from the ocean doesn't just vanish. It gets released in the form of torrential rain and flooding — sometimes for days and hundreds of miles from the coast. Damaging winds and tornadoes can also continue to be a threat.

Q: What's the deadliest part of a hurricane?

A: It's the water, not wind, which is a common misconception. Rainfall flooding, storm surge, high surf and rip currents account for the majority of U.S. tropical cyclone-related deaths. A large share of the deaths from rainfall flooding happen inland.

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(MORE: A lot can happen when a tropical wave crosses the Atlantic)

Q: How does flooding happen so far from the coast?

A: A slow-moving or stalled tropical system can drop a foot or more of rain over the same region for days, and that water has to go somewhere. Rivers and streams overflow, dams and drainage systems get overwhelmed, and flash flooding can turn your situation deadly in minutes.

Q: Are hilly or mountainous inland areas at special risk?

A: These areas are definitely at an increased risk. When all that tropical rain hits higher terrain, it can trigger landslides and mudslides, and it funnels water into narrow valleys, causing violent flash flooding. Mountain communities that feel safely tucked away can be hit hard. An example of this is Hurricane Helene in 2024, which devastated parts of the Appalachians.

Q: What about wind — does that affect inland areas too?

A: Yes, tropical-storm-force winds can extend hundreds of miles from the center of a storm, and even a weakening storm can knock down trees and power lines far inland. That leads to widespread, long-lasting power outages, blocked roads and dangerous conditions for days after a storm.

Q: What should people inland do when a tropical system is heading their way?

A: Don’t let your guard down and take the storm as seriously as the people on the coast do. Pay attention to where storms are tracking after they make landfall, know if you live in a flood-prone area and have a way to get warnings even if the power goes out.

(MORE: Hurricane safety and preparedness)

Caitlin Kaiser graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences before starting her career as a digital meteorologist with weather.com.