Hurricanes are one of nature’s most destructive agents and widespread interest surrounds the possibility that future hurricanes will increase in both frequency and intensity, causing devastation to vulnerable communities effecting their way of life and livelihoods. The Risk Prediction Initiative has organized a unique series of conferences bringing a new focus to the subject of impacts and risks from hurricanes, and how they may be changing under evolving climate regimes. The goals are to advance the understanding of risk, rather than solely the meteorology of storms and the observation and modelling of the climate.