The east coast of the united states is subject to hurricanes because of the gulf stream

This is true. The east coast of the United States is subject to hurricanes because of the Gulf Stream.

The southern coastline tends to get hurricanes more frequently than the northern coastline. The southern coastline is closer to the equator, where ocean water absorbs high levels of energy from the Sun. As the water from the Gulf Stream moves northward, the water cools, which decreases the risk of strong hurricanes hitting land. Also, if a hurricane strikes the southern coastline, its energy drops off before it can travel north.