Why does Hurricanes matter?

Not sure what you are looking for precisely. The above answer is well written about some effects from hurricanes on us. Why do they matter otherwise? They do perform an energy-balancing function in that they help to transfer large amounts of excess heat energy from the surface into the atmosphere which in turns helps to reduce surface temperatures (they act to reduce global warming). They also can be effective drought busters where they move inland, dropping large amounts of rainfall even after the winds have weakened.

I don't know anything about Hurricane Hugo but the ones that strike here kill people and destroy property. We had standing water one time for weeks and that got awful and then there were the mosquitoes. Of course, you electricity goes out so you don't have a/c, refrigerators for food, no lights, no tv, no input of any kind. It can be weeks before it comes back on. You can't go out and eat because everything is closed...no cash registers or anything works. But that is ok because the ATMS don't work and you don't have money and the gas pumps don't work so you can't even leave. NO business takes place so no one gets to work or make money. The price of what you need to repair your home goes up as stores price gouge. There are downed trees everywhere along with electrical lines so traveling is dangerous. People have rushed the stores and if you didn't get there first, you have no drinking water, no food. Just think if you had a baby. Just think if you were diabetic and your medicine that keeps you alive had to be refrigerated. Didn't you see what happened to New Orleans? That can happen anywhere. People can't get out, there can be extreme flooding, there are tornadoes in hurricanes that do a lot of damage too....Frankly I was amazed at all the attention that went to all the people in New York and surrounding areas. Maybe they will think of us because we are the ones that usually get hit and get a lot of damage and this is a very poor area and a lot of people don't have insurance. Why it matters should be easy to you. Don't you care about any one else?