Trunks

• You may notice that many palm trees near coastal areas have curved trunks. This is often because they've previously been exposed to high winds and their trunks, which are somewhat flexible, have been permanently bent by the wind. Thus, palms are less likely to snap than other tree species.
  
  

Fronds

• Lacking a crown and branches, palms don't have much surface area for the wind to catch. Additionally, they readily shed their fronds in high winds. These factors leave them less vulnerable than other trees to uprooting.
  
  

Water Effects

• Though most hurricane damage to trees comes from wind, storm surges can carry saltwater inland, potentially harming trees. Fronds of trees exposed to saltwater turn brown and fall off. However, most palms eventually recover from saline damage, notes the USDA Forest Service.
  
  

Species

• Some species of palms fare better in hurricanes than others. Cabbage, Sabal, Foxtail, Canary Island and Pygmy date palms generally hold up well. On the other hand, Royal and Queen palms are the most likely to suffer damage or die, according to a writer on the Florida Tree Company website.