List of Florida hurricanes

File:Milton 2024-10-09 1840Z.jpg

Hurricane Milton, the most recent landfalling Florida major hurricane on October 9, 2024

Approximately 500 tropical and subtropical cyclones have affected the state of Florida. More storms hit Florida than any other U.S. state, and since 1851 only eighteen hurricane seasons passed without a known storm impacting the state. Collectively, cyclones that hit the region have resulted in over 10,000 deaths, most of which occurred prior to the start of hurricane hunter flights in 1943. Additionally, the cumulative impact from the storms has totaled over US$300 billion in damage (2018 dollars), primarily from Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Ian in the 1992, 2017, and 2022 seasons respectively. The most recent hurricane to make landfall in Florida was Hurricane Milton in 2024.

Climatology

Tropical cyclones have affected Florida in every month of the year with the exceptions of January and March. Nearly one-third of the cyclones affected the state in September, and nearly three-fourths of the storms affected the state between August and October, which coincides with the peak of the hurricane season. Portions of the coastline have return periods, or expected time between hurricane strikes of a certain intensity or category within of a given location, that are the lowest in the country. Monroe County was struck by 26 hurricanes since 1926, which is the greatest total for any county in the United States.

In a Monthly Weather Review paper published in 1934, the U.S. Weather Bureau recognized Key West and Pensacola as the most hurricane-prone cities in the state; Key West experiences both storms developing from the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean, while Pensacola has received hurricanes crossing the state as well as storms recurving in the northern Gulf of Mexico.Template:Sfn Officially, the earliest hurricane to affect the state was Hurricane Alma on June 9; the latest, Hurricane Kate on November 21. However, preliminary reanalysis suggests that a hurricane may have struck the state on May 28, 1863.Template:Sfn

The strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall on the state was the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, which crossed the Florida Keys with a pressure of ; it is also the strongest hurricane on record to strike the United States. Out of the ten most intense landfalling United States hurricanes, four struck Florida at peak strength.

Pre-1900

File:Florida hurricane (pre-1900) tracks.jpg

Tracks of hurricanes over Florida from 1851 to 1899

The first recorded tropical cyclone to affect the area that is now the state of Florida occurred in 1523, when two ships and their crews were lost along the western coastline. A total 159 hurricanes are known to have affected the state prior to 1900, which collectively resulted in at least 6,504 fatalities and monetary damage of over $102 million (2017 dollars). Additionally, at least 109 boats or ships were either driven ashore, wrecked, or damaged due to the storms. A strong hurricane struck northwest Florida on May 28, 1863, and is the earliest landfall during the year known in the US, pending reanalysis.Template:Sfn

Information is sparse for earlier years due to limitations in tropical cyclone observation, though as coastlines became more populated, more data became available. The National Hurricane Center recognizes the uncertainty in both the death tolls and the dates of the events.

1900–1949

File:September1947 Miami.jpg

Surf from 1947 Fort Lauderdale hurricane

In the period between 1900 and 1949, 108 tropical cyclones affected the state, which collectively resulted in about $4.5 billion (2017 dollars) in damage. Additionally, tropical cyclones in Florida were directly responsible for about 3,500 fatalities during the period, most of which were from the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, the state's deadliest. The 1947 season was the year with the most tropical cyclones affecting the state, with a total of six systems. The 1905, 1908, 1913, 1927, 1931, 1942, and 1943 seasons were the only years during the period in which a storm did not affect the state.

The strongest and most intense hurricane to hit the state during the period was the 1935 Labor Day hurricane—the most potent on record to strike the United States. Collectively this storm, the 1926 Miami hurricane, and the 1928 hurricane claimed over 3,280 lives in Florida—three of the state's 10 most impactful weather events in the 20th century; the 1926 storm would be the costliest of any U.S. hurricane in present monetary values. Hurricane-wise the 1940s were among the state's busiest decades: 11 hurricanes struck from 1944–50, six of them major, including five Category 4 hurricanes in South Florida. Storms catalyzed development: impacts radiated societally, broaching complex political and socioeconomic topics, and lead to epochal changes such as flood control and building codes.Template:U.S. hurricanes

1950–1974

File:Hurricane Donna.jpg

Radar image of Hurricane Donna making landfall

In the period between 1950 and 1974, 85 tropical or subtropical cyclones impacted the state, which collectively resulted in about $7 billion (2017 dollars) in damage, primarily from Hurricanes Donna, Hurricane Cleo (1964) and Dora. Additionally, the storms were directly responsible for 93 fatalities and indirectly for 23 more deaths. Several tropical cyclones produced over 20 inches (500 mm) of rainfall in the state, including Hurricane Easy, which is the highest total during the period. The 1969 season was the year with the most tropical cyclones affecting the state, with a total of eight systems. The 1954 and 1967 seasons were the only years during the period in which a storm did not affect the state.

The strongest hurricane to hit the state during the period was Hurricane Donna.Template:Sfn Additionally, Hurricanes Easy, King, Betsy, and Alma hit or otherwise impacted the state as major hurricanes. Hurricane Cleo hit Miami as a category 2

1975–1999

File:Andrew 1992-08-23 1231Z (Cropped).png

Hurricane Andrew approaching South Florida in August 1992.

In the period between 1975 and 1999, 83 tropical or subtropical cyclones affected the state, which collectively resulted in $51.1 billion (2017 dollars) in damage, primarily from Hurricane Andrew, and 54 direct casualties. The 1985 season was the year with the most tropical cyclones affecting the state, with a total of eight systems. Every year included at least one tropical cyclone affecting the state. The strongest hurricane to hit the state during the period was Hurricane Andrew, which was one of only four Category 5 hurricanes to strike the United States. Andrew, at the time, was the costliest tropical cyclone in United States history. Additionally, Hurricanes Eloise, Elena, and Opal hit or otherwise impacted the state as major hurricanes.

2000–present

File:Beach front home damaged by hurricane dennis 2005.jpg

A beachfront home in Navarre Beach largely destroyed by Hurricane Dennis

The period from 2000 to the present has been marked by several devastating North Atlantic hurricanes; since 2023Template:Dated maintenance category (articles), 79 tropical or subtropical cyclones have affected the U.S. state of Florida. Collectively, cyclones in Florida over that period resulted in over $236 billion in damage, most of it from Hurricane Ian. Additionally, tropical cyclones in Florida were responsible for 145 direct fatalities and at least 92 indirect ones during the period. Eight cyclones affected the state in both 2004 and 2005, which were the years with the most tropical cyclones impacting the state. Every year included at least one tropical cyclone affecting the state.

The strongest hurricane to hit the state during the period was Michael, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 5 hurricane–the strongest since Andrew in 1992. Additionally, nine other hurricanes made landfall on or otherwise impacted the state as major hurricanes.

Florida major hurricanes

The following major hurricanes either made landfall on the state as a major hurricane or brought winds of Category 3 status to the state. For storms that made landfall twice or more, the maximum sustained wind speed, and hence the highest Saffir–Simpson category, at the strongest landfall is listed. Only landfalls at major hurricane intensity are listed. Storms are listed since 1851, which is the official start of the Atlantic hurricane database.Template:U.S. hurricanes Originally, hurricanes were classified by central pressure in the 20th century;Template:Sfn however, modern practices quantify storm intensities by maximum sustained winds.Template:Sfn United States hurricanes are still classified by central pressure from 1971 to 1979;Template:Sfn therefore, the maximum sustained winds in the Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT) are used for storms from 1971 to 1979, since this period has not been reanalyzed by the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project.

Florida major hurricanes

Storm	Saffir–Simpson CategoryTemplate:Dagger	Date of Impact (UTC)	Year	Landfall Winds (in Knots)	Location(s)
Great Middle Florida	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Panama City
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Jupiter Island
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Captiva Island
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Panama City
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Navarre
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Miami Beach
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Panama City
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Cedar Key
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Marathon East of Flamingo
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Marathon
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Fort Walton Beach
Florida Keys	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Dry Tortugas
Tampa Bay	3	October 25	1921	100	Tarpon Springs
Great Miami	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Perrine
Okeechobee	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Palm Beach
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Jupiter
Labor Day	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Craig Key
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Dry Tortugas
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	North Key Largo Homestead
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Fort Lauderdale
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	East of Chokoloskee
Unnamed	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Lake Worth
Easy	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	East of Cedar Key
King	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Miami
Donna	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Conch Key
Betsy	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Tavernier
Alma	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Dry TortugasTemplate:Asterisk
Eloise	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	East of Destin
Elena	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Gulfport, MississippiTemplate:Asterisk
Andrew	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Elliott Key North of Homestead
Opal	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Pensacola Beach
Charley	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Cayo Costa Punta Gorda
Ivan	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	West of Gulf Shores, AlabamaTemplate:Asterisk
Jeanne	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Hutchinson Island
Dennis	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Santa Rosa Island
Wilma	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Cape Romano
Irma	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Cudjoe Key Marco Island
Michael	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	West of Mexico Beach
Ian	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Cayo Costa Punta Gorda
Idalia	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Keaton Beach
Helene	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Perry
Milton	Template:Nts		Template:Dts	Template:Nts	Siesta Key
References: HURDAT, HRDTemplate:U.S. hurricanes
Template:Dagger Peak winds in the state.
Template:Asterisk Storm hit at a lower category or did not make landfall in Florida, but brought major hurricane winds there.

Strongest and most intense

"Great", "Major", and "Extreme" hurricanes

Saffir–Simpson rankings were given United States storms beginning in 1975,Template:Sfn first on the basis of pressure,Template:Sfn then on wind alone since the late 1980s;Template:Sfn informal metrics gauged intensity prior. A "Great Hurricane" contained winds over 125 mph (200 km/h) and spread hurricane-force winds over 100 miles (160 km) or more, while also generating high tides, low pressures, extensive damage, and casualties.Template:Sfn A "Major" hurricane featured winds of 101–135 mph (163–217 km/h) and a barometric pressure of ; an "Extreme" hurricane, at least 136 mph (219 km/h)—roughly equivalent to Category 4 on the Saffir–Simpson scale—and or lower.Template:Sfn From 1880 to 1960 the following Florida storms have been classified as "Great", "Major", and/or "Extreme":

"Great", "Major", and "Extreme" hurricanes in Florida

Storm	Year	Date	Area Affected	"Great"?	"Major"?	"Extreme"?	SS Rank in Florida	Miscellany	Ref.
Unnamed	1559		Pensacola	No	Yes	No	—	One of first hurricanes noted in Florida	Template:Sfn
Unnamed	1736	—	Pensacola	No	Yes	No	—	Pensacola in ruins	Template:Sfn
Unnamed	1759	September	South Florida	No	Yes	No	—	Spawned high tides between Dry Tortugas and present-day Miami	Template:Sfn
Unnamed	1766		St. Marks	No	Yes	No	—	tide reported	Template:Sfn
Unnamed	1843		Port St. Joe	No	Yes	No	3–4	Port St. Joe leveled
Unnamed	1846		Key West–Cedar Key	No	No	Yes	4–5	Key West wrecked
Unnamed	1848		Tampa Bay (Fort Brooke)	No	Yes	No	4–5	Caused tide at Tampa
Unnamed	1873		Punta Rassa	No	Yes	No	3	Produced tide
Unnamed	1880		Vero Beach, Palm Beach– Lake Okeechobee	Yes	Yes	No	2	Badly hit areas near present Palm Beach County
Unnamed	1886		Apalachicola–Tallahassee	Yes	Yes	No	2	Generated extreme tides
Unnamed	1893		Coastal east peninsula	No	Yes	No	Template:Dagger	Gusted to and did high tides
Unnamed	1894		Southwest Florida	No	Yes	No	2	Dropped of rain in a day
Unnamed	1896		Cedar Key	No	Yes	No	3	Claimed over 100 lives	Template:Sfn
Unnamed	1906		PensacolaTemplate:Asterisk	No	Yes	No	2	Worst storm to hit Pensacola in 170 years	Template:Sfn
Unnamed	1906		Southeast Florida	No	Yes	No	3	Killed about 200 people	Template:Sfn
Unnamed	1909		Florida Keys	No	Yes	No	3	clocked before anemometer disabled
Unnamed	1910		Key West Fort Myers	Yes	Yes	No	2	Caused much flooding
Unnamed	1916		PensacolaTemplate:Asterisk	No	Yes	No	Template:Dagger	Gusted to	Template:Sfn
Unnamed	1916		Pensacola	No	Yes	No	2	Gusted to	Template:Sfn
Unnamed	1917		Pensacola	No	Yes	No	3	Gusted to	Template:Sfn
Florida Keys	1919		Key West	Yes	Yes	No	4	Strongest on record at Key West
Tampa Bay	1921		West central peninsula	No	Yes	No	3	Most severe storm to hit Tampa in 70 years
Great Miami	1926		Miami Pensacola	Yes	No	Yes	4	Highest wind and lowest pressure sampled till then in U.S.
Okeechobee	1928		Palm Beach–Lake Okeechobee, Florida peninsula	Yes	No	Yes	4	Led to Herbert Hoover Dike
Unnamed	1929		Key Largo Northwest Florida	No	No	Yes	3	Gusted to
Unnamed	1933		Jupiter, Florida peninsula	No	Yes	No	3	Gusted to
Labor Day	1935		Florida Keys Taylor County	Yes	No	Yes	5	Gusts calculated at over
Unnamed	1944		Key West–Tampa–Jacksonville (peninsula)	Yes	Yes	No	3	Eye passage for five hours at some spots
Unnamed	1945		Homestead, far South Florida	No	No	Yes	4	Resembled 1992's Andrew
Unnamed	1947		Fort Lauderdale/Pompano– Fort Myers	Yes	No	Yes	4	Gusted to
Unnamed	1948		Southern peninsula	No	Yes	No	4	Gusted to	Template:Sfn
Unnamed	1949		Delray Beach, South Florida	No	No	Yes	4	Resembled 1928 hurricane
Easy	1950		Cedar Key, peninsula	No	Yes	No	3	Was wettest tropical cyclone on record in Florida	Template:SfnTemplate:Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in Florida
King	1950		Miami, peninsula	No	Yes	No	4	Delivered downtown Miami's strongest winds since 1926
Template:Dagger Indicates winds were below hurricane force in the state.
Template:Asterisk Storm made landfall outside Florida.

Deadliest storms

Hurricanes causing 100 or more deaths in Florida

Name	Year	Number of deaths
"Okeechobee"	1928	2,500+
Unnamed	1781	2,000
Unnamed	1622	1,090
Unnamed	1553	700
Unnamed	1553	<700
Unnamed	1559	500
Unnamed	1559	~500
Unnamed	1683	496
"Labor Day"	1935	409
"Great Miami"	1926	372
Unnamed	1563	284
"Florida Keys"	1906	211+
Ian	2022	150

See also

• Atlantic hurricane
• Climate of Florida
• Atlantic hurricane season
• List of Atlantic hurricanes
• List of wettest known tropical cyclones in Florida
• Tropical cyclone

Further reading

• Template:Cite thesis