Hurricane Ian causes havoc in Florida:
28 September - 1 October 2022
Hurricane Ian, one of the strongest and costliest hurricanes in US history, hit Florida on 28 September 2022 and made its second US landfall two days later in South Carolina. The death toll passed 110 and is expected to keep rising, whilst 700,000 homes and businesses remained without power four days later in Florida alone (Guardian, 2022a). The residents of Florida and the Carolinas are facing a recovery that is expected to cost billions of dollars (Reuters, 2022a). The largest ever search-and-rescue effort was launched by the Federal Emergency Management officials (NBC News 2022). President Joe Biden visited the storm-affected areas in Florida and stressed the need for a united state and federal effort for the recovery (Reuters, 2022b).
EVENT TIMELINE
Ian, the first hurricane to make landfall in mainland US this year, began life on 19 September as a Tropical Disturbance in the North Atlantic, east of Barbados, where warm sea surfaces provided fuel in the form of moisture and unstable air. The weather system travelled west through the Caribbean Sea, intensifying into a Tropical Depression on 23 September. The storm then pivoted and tracked northwards, strengthening as it progressed, making landfall over western Cuba in Pinar del Rio Province as a Category 3 Hurricane on 27 September (Associated Press News, 2022a; UN News, 2022).
Figure 1: Satellite-observed rainfall animation showing Hurricane Ian’s path between 24 September 2022 and 1 October 2022. Rainfall data source: NASA GPM, 2022. Hurricane Ian track data source: IBTrACS, 2022. Video produced by JBA Risk Management, 2022.
As Ian travelled north over the Gulf of Mexico, the storm system continued to strengthen, gaining Category 4 – or “Major” - Hurricane status. Ian made landfall near Cape Coral on Florida’s Gulf Coast on 28 September (Channel News Asia, 2022). Once Ian made landfall, its fuel supply of warm, moist air from below was removed, and the system rapidly diminished in strength as it continued to travel north-east across the Sunshine State. By 29 September, Ian was downgraded to a Tropical Storm as it moved offshore into the western Atlantic (CNBC, 2022).
Later that same day, Ian strengthened over the Atlantic Ocean, becoming a Category 1 Hurricane as it made a second landfall near Georgetown, South Carolina on 30 September (CBS News, 2022). The chronological development of Ian is shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Development of Hurricane Ian (Source: Wunderground, 2022; CBS News, 2022; Live Science, 2022; Channel News Asia, 2022; Associated Press News, 2022b).
METEOROLOGICAL OVERVIEW
Hurricanes form over sea surfaces with a minimum temperature of 26°C. The temperature difference between the air and the water creates unstable conditions that result in the formation of a low-pressure system, which is continually fueled from below by large quantities of water vapour evaporating from the sea surface. The rising moisture produces deep clouds that generate thunderstorms and heavy rainfall and, if the system grows large enough, it can begin to rotate, generating high wind speeds as air is pulled in towards the centre of the storm in a spiralling manner.
A hurricane’s strength is measured by its wind speed and follows the Saffir-Simpson scale which ranks from Category 1 (the weakest) to Category 5 (the strongest). Hurricane Ian underwent a process known as rapid intensification as it travelled over the Caribbean Sea. This process is defined by the National Hurricane Center as a system whose maximum sustained winds increase by at least 34mph in a 24-hour period (NHC, 2022a). The driving force behind Ian’s rapid intensification was the warm sea surface temperatures in this area, almost 2°C warmer than usual (Public Broadcasting Service, 2022).
The development of a hurricane is influenced by something known as wind shear, which defines how much the wind speed and direction varies throughout the lowest part of the atmosphere where the hurricane forms. High wind shear can disrupt the spiral structure of a hurricane and shorten its lifespan; conversely, regions with low wind shear – such as the Caribbean Sea at the time of Hurricane Ian’s approach - provide favourable conditions for a hurricane to grow and flourish (Live Science, 2022).
Figure 2: Three examples of different types of wind shear - (a) low wind shear (constant wind speed and direction, (b) high wind shear (constant wind direction but varying speed), and (c) high wind shear (varying wind speed and direction).
Once a hurricane makes landfall, the system begins to lose strength as its fuel source of moisture and warm air is removed. However, Ian passed over Cuba within a short timeframe (approximately six hours) and quickly entered the Gulf of Mexico – this meant it quickly encountered a further supply of fuel and continued to grow in strength. Once Ian made landfall in Florida, it weakened to a tropical storm before entering the Atlantic Ocean just north of Cape Canaveral (Associated Press News, 2022b). Over the Atlantic Ocean, Ian regained power a second time, making its second US landfall in South Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane, before finally weakening to a post-tropical cyclone (NPR, 2022a; Associated Press News, 2022c).
Hurricane activity also can be affected by the La Niña phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation. The third consecutive year of the La Niña phase is underway, an exceptional event that has occurred for the first time in this century (NPR, 2022b). La Niña conditions are typically associated with higher temperatures and lower wind shear across the Atlantic which prove favourable for hurricanes developing close to the Caribbean, the Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Mexico (SciJenks, n.d.; The Hill, 2022). In August 2022, scientists at Colorado State University predicted that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will be more active than usual, primarily due to the ongoing La Niña conditions (Colorado State University, 2022).
IMPACTS FROM HURRICANE IAN
Cuba
Ian caused the entire electrical grid to fail, resulting in a power outage for the entire island, possibly the first time this has happened. Pinar del Rio province, an important area for growing cigar tobacco, was destroyed. Finca Robaina, one of the most prestigious tobacco farms in Cuba was also damaged (Associated Press News, 2022a). According to official numbers, three people have died and 40,000 people were evacuated, and initial surveys have indicated that over 100,000 homes were damaged or destroyed (Fox Weather, 2022a; Reuters, 2022c). Prior to Ian’s arrival, Cuba was already enduring an economic crisis and suffering from food, fuel and medicine shortages (Associated Press News, 2022a; The Economic Times, 2022) - the impact of Ian will further aggravate the situation for a population already in difficulty.
Florida
Two and a half million residents of Florida were under evacuation orders and over 2.2 million people suffered from power outages. So far, at least 105 people have died, and many were trapped, with over 2,300 rescues conducted (Guardian, 2022b; NBC News, 2022b; CNN, 2022b).
Many streets in Naples became impassable due to flooding and high tides. Dozens of hospitals and nursing homes were forced to evacuate patients when the hurricane cut off access to clean water or, in the case of the HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital, they became flooded. Flights to and from Jacksonville International Airport, Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport were cancelled, and the Sanibel Causeway - connecting Sanibel Island to mainland Florida - was damaged, with some portions collapsing and others washed away (Naples News, 2022; Guardian, 2022b; The Conversation, 2022; CNN, 2022b; The New York Times, 2022).
North and South Carolina
So far, four deaths have been reported in North Carolina, and over 200,000 residents in both North and South Carolina suffered from power outages. Four piers along South Carolina’s coast were washed away in the storm surge, including those on Pawleys Island and North Myrtle Beach. Floods up to knee-high depths were observed in parts of Charleston, South Carolina (CNN, 2022b; Greenville News, 2022; WXII 12 News, 2022; WCNC, 2022).
EXTREME RAINFALL ANALYSIS
After Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida, Orlando recorded a record-breaking 12.49 inches (317mm) of rain from 28 to 29 September 2022 which resulted in heavy floods near Kissimmee (Yale Climate Connections, 2022). JBA conducted extreme rainfall return period analysis for this location using NOAA National Climatic Data Center daily climate summaries (NOAA NCDC, 2022). An exponential distribution curve was fitted to the historical data to give an exceedance probability curve, shown by the solid orange 
linein Figure 3, with the 70th percentiles given by the dashed lines.Based on the exceedance probability curve, the observed rainfall over Orlando (shown by the blue line) isestimated to be reflective of a greater-than 1-in-1000-year event.
Figure 3: Estimated extreme rainfall return periods at Kissimmee rainfall station based on NOAA National Climatic Data Center daily climate summaries. The observed rainfall total in Orlando (recorded between 08:00 to 08:00 EDT 28 – 29 September) is shown in context by the blue horizontal line.
HISTORICAL EVENTS
As the state with the longest coastline in the continental US, as well its location within the warm and humid tropics, Florida is particularly susceptible to hurricanes. Over 41% of all hurricanes in the US have made landfall across the state, with Ian being the 121st to hit Florida since 1851. Florida also experiences high financial losses when hurricanes strike due to the fact that 76% of its population live in coastal areas, making them vulnerable to storm surge (The Washington Post, 2022).
Table 2. Historical flood events and their impacts across Florida.
RETURN PERIOD AND LOSS ESTIMATION
In a press briefing, Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, called the hurricane’s rainfall a 500-year flood event, commenting that “the impacts of this storm are historic” (WSUF Public Media, 2022). In areas like Placida and Lake Wales in Florida, the observed rainfall exceeded the 1-in-1,000-year flood return period (CNN, 2022a).
Loss estimates for the event by different companies vary significantly. In terms of insured losses, some of the estimated figures are $25-40 billion (Fitch Ratings, 2022), $42-57 billion (Verisk, 2022),$53-74 billion (RMS, 2022) and $63 billion (Karen Clark & Co., as noted in Bloomberg, 2022). Karen Clark & Co. have additionally estimated economic damages of over $100 billion (Bloomberg, 2022).
JBA FLOOD HAZARD MAPS
JBA have national 5m resolution river, surface water and coastal storm surge flood hazard maps for the US, as well as 30m resolution river and surface water maps for Cuba. Figure 4 shows that JBA’s storm surge flood map with a return period of 500 years captures areas known to have flooded as a direct result of coastal surge from Hurricane Ian.
Figure 4: JBA’s 500-year return period flood map showing depths and extents of storm surge (STSU) flooding around Cape Coral and Fort Myers, Florida.
It’s vital that organisations act now in response to flood risk. JBA offers flood mapping and probabilistic flood modelling worldwide, including for the US. Our data provides flood risk insights at any location globally. This can help re/insurers, financial organisations, and the International Development sector to better understand and manage flood risk.
JBA’s unique Global Flood Model offers clients the opportunity to run their portfolio against this event footprint and other event footprints produced by JBA to calculate losses net of their insurance and reinsurance structures. To find out more about our flood data and how it can help you, get in touch with the team.
The report is accompanied by a flood footprint for the event, detailing extents and depths of the flooding in areas affected. To request a copy please email eventresponse@jbarisk.com.
This report is covered by JBA’s website terms – please read them here.
References
Associated Press News, 2022a. Cuba begins to turn on lights after Ian blacks out island. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/hurricanes-cuba-caribbean-power-outages-205dc50567955f2875aadbfb0f4941c2. [Accessed 29 September 2022]
Associated Press News, 2022b. Floods trap many in Florida as Ian heads to South Carolina. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-ian-impact-path-d4db93bcac5af1134e31a3b7f2f694f0. [Accessed 4 October 2022]
Associated Press News, 2022c. Ian lashes South Carolina as Florida’s death toll climbs. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/hurricanes-floods-south-carolina-charleston-climate-and-environment-3f551a464ebec05f77d0e5e8b17fa3ed. [Accessed 4 October 2022]
Bloomberg, 2022. Hurricane Ian Will Cost US Insurers $63 Billion, Risk Modeler Says. [online] Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-30/hurricane-ian-to-cost-us-insurers-63-billion-risk-modeler-says#xj4y7vzkg [Accessed 4 October 2022]
CBS News, 2022. Ian arrives in North Carolina after bringing flooding, damage to South Carolina; death toll rises in Florida. [online] Available at: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/hurricane-ian-death-toll-florida-south-carolina-north-carolina-forecast-tracker-2022-09-30/. [Accessed 4 October 2022]
Channel NewsAsia, 2022. Hurricane Ian pummels Florida's Gulf Coast with catastrophic fury. [online] Available at: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/hurricane-ian-florida-gulf-coast-category-4-catastrophic-fury-2971256. [Accessed 29 September 2022]
CNBC, 2022. Hurricane Ian downgraded to tropical storm as it continues to batter Florida. [online] Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/29/hurricane-ian-downgraded-to-tropical-storm-as-it-continues-to-batter-florida.html [Accessed 29 September 2022].
CNN, 2022a. Ian has produced 1-in-1,000 year rainfall in some parts of Central Florida. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/hurricane-ian-florida-updates-09-29-22/h_09489d16348a2dca78535bdd3bae6751 [Accessed 29 September 2022].
CNN, 2022b. Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Florida. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/hurricane-ian-florida-updates-09-28-22/index.html. [Accessed 29 September 2022]
Colorado State University, 2022. CSU hurricane researchers reduce forecast but continue to predict active season. [online] Available at: https://www.atmos.colostate.edu/2022/08/csu-hurricane-researchers-reduce-forecast-but-continue-to-predict-active-season/ [Accessed 29 September 2022]
First Coast News, 2022. A look at some of the most powerful hurricanes to hit Florida. [online] Available at: https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/weather/the-top-5-most-powerful-hurricanes-hit-florida/77-157e96d8-7eb0-4863-8b06-f4ac035dd90f [Accessed 4 October 2022]
Fitch Ratings, 2022. Florida (Re)Insurers to Withstand Hurricane Ian, Specialists at Risk. [online] Available at: https://www.fitchratings.com/research/insurance/florida-re-insurers-to-withstand-hurricane-ian-specialists-at-risk-29-09-2022 [Accessed 5 October 2022]
Fox Weather, 2022a. Hurricane Ian death toll rises above 70 as search and rescue operations continue. [online] Available at: https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/hurricane-ian-damage-rescue-recovery-efforts [Accessed 4 October 2022]
Fox Weather, 2022b. Hurricane Ian ties 4th-strongest storm to make landfall in Florida. [online] Available at: https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/hurricane-ian-ties-4th-strongest-storm-to-make-landfall-in-florida. [Accessed 29 September 2022]
Fox Weather, 2022c. Hurricane Ian vs Hurricane Charley: Exact same landfall location and strength but different impacts. [online] Available at: https://www.foxweather.com/learn/hurricane-ian-history. [Accessed 29 September 2022]
Greenville News, 2022. South Carolina surveys damage and begins recovery from Hurricane Ian. [online] Available at: https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2022/10/01/south-carolina-hurricane-ian-update-greenville-damage-recovery-spartanburg-anderson/69529433007/. [Accessed 5 October 2022]
Guardian, 2022a. Hurricane Ian death toll climbs past 80 amid criticism over storm response. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/03/hurricane-ian-death-toll-rises-to-83-amid-criticism-over-storm-response [Accessed 3 October 2022]
Guardian, 2022b. Hurricane Ian latest updates: 2 million in Florida lose power as storm moves inland – live. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2022/sep/28/hurricane-ian-florida-tracker-path-latest-updates#maincontent. [Accessed 29 September 2022]
Naples News, 2022. Hurricane Ian live Thursday updates: Mayor says Naples will need time to recover. [online] Available at: https://www.naplesnews.com/story/weather/hurricanes/2022/09/29/thursday-live-updates-naples-begins-recovery-hurricane-ian-leaves-southwest-florida/10447742002/ [Accessed 3 October 2022]
NBC News, 2022. Historic search-and-rescue operation underway as Ian’s death toll reaches 87. [online] Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/biden-visit-florida-puerto-rico-hurricane-ian-devastation-rcna50348 [Accessed 3 October 2022]
NBC News, 2022b. Ian, now a major Category 3 hurricane, is growing stronger in the Gulf of Mexico. [online] Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hurricane-ian-become-major-hurricane-overnight-officials-say-rcna49542. [Accessed 29 September 2022]
NHC, 2022a. Glossary of NHS Terms. [online] Available at: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutgloss.shtml#:~:text=Rapid%20Intensification%3A,in%20a%2024%2Dh%20period. [Accessed 29 September 2022]
NOAA NCDC, 2022. Climate Data Online. [online] Available at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/ [Accessed 10 October 2022]
NPR, 2022a. Ian will likely hit South Carolina as a hurricane, forecasters say. [online] Available at: https://www.npr.org/2022/09/29/1125876027/hurricane-ian-east-coast-forecast [Accessed 4 October 2022]
NPR, 2022b. The 'triple-dip La Niña' explained – and how it affects the weather in your area. [online] Available at: https://www.npr.org/2022/09/12/1122259523/triple-dip-la-nina-explained-weather [Accessed 4 October 2022]
Reuters, 2022a. Hurricane Ian death toll climbs to 83, officials defend response. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hurricane-ravaged-florida-carolinas-face-daunting-recovery-2022-10-02/ [Accessed 3 October 2022]
Reuters, 2022b. Biden, Florida’s DeSantis work ‘hand-in-glove' on Hurricane Ian recovery. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-tour-storm-damaged-florida-meet-with-desantis-2022-10-05/ [Accessed 10 October 2022]
Reuters, 2022c. Cuba entirely without power after Hurricane Ian causes grid to collapse. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/hurricane-ian-makes-landfall-over-western-cuba-nhc-says-2022-09-27/ [Accessed 4 October 2022]
RMS, 2022. RMS puts Hurricane Ian industry loss at up to $74bn in top-end estimate. [online] Available at: https://www.reinsurancene.ws/rms-puts-hurricane-ian-industry-loss-at-up-to-74bn-in-top-end-estimate/ [Accessed 10 October 2022]
SciJenks, n.d. What Is La Niña? [online] Available at: https://scijinks.gov/la-nina/ [Accessed 4 October 2022]
The Conversation, 2022. Hurricane Ian flooded a hospital and forced evacuations from dozens of nursing homes – many health facilities face rising risks from severe storms. [online] Available at: https://theconversation.com/hurricane-ian-flooded-a-hospital-and-forced-evacuations-from-dozens-of-nursing-homes-many-health-facilities-face-rising-risks-from-severe-storms-191648. [Accessed 5 October 2022]
The Economic Times, 2022. Hurricane Ian wreaks havoc in Cuba, island left powerless. More details here. [online] Available at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/hurricane-ian-wreaks-havoc-in-cuba-island-left-powerless-more-details-here/articleshow/94514736.cms. [Accessed 30 September 2022]
The Hill, 2022. Hurricane Fiona shows La Niña’s volatility — fossil fuels make it worse. [online] Available at: https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/3653646-hurricane-fiona-shows-la-ninas-volatility-fossil-fuels-make-it-worse/. [Accessed 29 September 2022]
The New York Times, 2022. Hurricane Ian’s Staggering Scale of Wreckage Becomes Clear in Florida. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/29/us/hurricane-ian-florida-damage.html. [Accessed 30 September 2022]
The Washington Post, 2022. Why Florida is more prone to hurricanes. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/09/27/florida-hurricane-vulnerability-explainer/. [Accessed 30 September 2022]
UN News, 2022. Climate Change: Hurricanes and cyclones bring misery to millions, as Ian makes landfall in the US. [online] Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1128221. [Accessed 29 September 2022]
Verisk, 2022. Verisk Estimates Industry Insured Losses to Onshore Property for Hurricane Ian Will Range from USD 42 Billion to USD 57 Billion. [online] Available at: https://www.verisk.com/newsroom/verisk-estimates-industry-insured-losses-for-hurricane-ian/ [Accessed 4 October 2022]
WCNC, 2022. Ian moves away from Charlotte, leaving damage, thousands without power Saturday. [online] Available at: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/severe-weather/hurricane-ian-impact-north-carolina-south-carolina/275-f1b5a633-844b-485b-a83e-eb15cdd755db [Accessed 5 October 2022]
WSUF Public Media, 2022. 'Lee and Charlotte are basically off the grid,' DeSantis says in grim update on Ian. [online] Available at: https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/weather/2022-09-29/lee-and-charlotte-are-basically-off-the-grid-desantis-says-in-grim-update-on-ian [Accessed 5 October 2022]
WXII 12 News, 2022. Real-time Updates | NC Piedmont Triad dealing with aftermath of Ian, 4 Deaths in NC. [online] Available at: https://www.wxii12.com/article/north-carolina-braces-for-ian-real-time-updates/41446558# [Accessed 5 October 2022]
Yale Climate Connections, 2022. Ian's rampage across Florida leaves a trail of ruin » Yale Climate Connections. [online] Yale Climate Connections. Available at: <https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2022/09/ians-rampage-across-florida-leaves-a-trail-of-ruin/> [Accessed 5 October 2022].
FAQs
What hurricane hit Florida in September 2022? ›
September: Enter Ian, a Florida hurricane for the ages
Fiona peaked as a Category 4 passing Bermuda, before breaking Canada's all-time low pressure record as it became a powerful extratropical storm near Newfoundland.
Hurricane Ian, large tropical cyclone that brought significant wind damage and flooding to western Cuba, central Florida, and North Carolina and South Carolina in late September and early October 2022.
Where did Hurricane Ian hit in Florida 2022? ›Hurricane Ian
Did a hurricane hit September 2022? ›Additionally, NOAA's intensity forecasts showed Hurricane Ian as a major hurricane impacting the coast of Florida from the initial advisory on September 23 through landfall five days later. This advanced lead time gave those in threatened areas more time to prepare and respond.
When did Hurricane Ian hit Florida in 2022? ›Track of Hurricane Ian between September 23 and September 30, 2022. Ian struck Cuba and Florida as a major hurricane before reaching the Carolinas as a category 1 storm. Ian's final landfall was near the city of Georgetown around 2 pm on Friday September 30.
Is September the worst month for hurricanes? ›The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is September 10, with most activity occurring between mid-August and mid-October. For the eastern Pacific basin, the analyses are based on data from the 50-year period from 1971 to 2020 (starting when there was reliable satellite imagery) but also normalized to 100 years.
What parts of Florida hit hardest by Ian? ›Fort Myers Beach, a coastal city on a barrier island, was among the areas hardest hit, with storm surges nearly reaching the roofs of some houses. Fla. Myakka R.
Where is Ian expected to hit? ›The National Hurricane Center recently issued a hurricane warning for portions of the South Carolina coast. Forecasters now believe Ian, which is currently a tropical storm, will make landfall somewhere near Charleston as a Category One hurricane.
What towns were hit hardest by Ian? ›The southwest Florida coast where Ian made landfall on Wednesday as a Category 4 storm experienced the harshest effects from the storm, including Lee County, which covers Fort Myers and Cape Coral, which were “inundated and devastated” by Ian, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said at a press conference Thursday.
What parts of Florida were hit by Ian? ›The hurricane stormed Lee County barrier islands with winds approaching Category 5 speed, followed by storm surge of up to 18 feet. Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Pine Island, Captiva Island sustained the most damage, with officials saying not one structure escaped damage.
What day will Ian hit Florida? ›
28 September - 1 October 2022. Hurricane Ian, one of the strongest and costliest hurricanes in US history, hit Florida on 28 September 2022 and made its second US landfall two days later in South Carolina.
What counties in Florida were affected by Hurricane Ian? ›Johns counties, as well as the entire counties of DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties.
Are hurricanes worse in September or October? ›While the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, the period from August through early October tends to produce the most hurricanes and tropical storms in an average year. The period from August through early October tends to produce the most hurricanes and tropical storms in an average year.
What was the name of the hurricane in September 2022? ›Hurricane Ian was the first hurricane this year to hit the U.S., and it made landfall on Sept. 28, 2022 in southwest Florida. Ian is one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit Florida with winds at 150 miles per hour, and cities in the path of the storm face catastrophic damage.
What was the worst hurricane to hit Florida in 2022? ›Deadliest storm of the year, Hurricane Ian, closed in on Florida's Gulf Coast on September 28. "Prominent parts of Southwest Florida from south of Fort Myers to north of Charlotte Harbor, about 50 miles of coastline, will be changed forever," said FOX Weather Hurricane expert Bryan Norcross.
What happened to Hurricane Ian 2022? ›Ian began to weaken inland and transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone over coastal South Carolina three hours after landfall. As the polar jet stream ripped the cyclone apart, it later dissipated over southern Virginia at 03:00 UTC on October 2.
Where did Hurricane Ian hit the worst? ›The highest number of deaths happened near the storm's landfall in Lee County, which includes Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island.
Was Ian the worst hurricane to hit Florida? ›Ian made landfall in southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022 as a Category 4 Hurricane with max winds of 150 mph. By wind speed, it's tied for the fourth strongest hurricane at landfall in Florida history, only behind the “Labor Day” Hurricane (1935), Hurricane Andrew (1992) and Hurricane Michael (2018).
How often do hurricanes hit Florida in September? ›What month in Florida has the most hurricanes? September is the peak month of hurricane season in Florida. This is when 40 percent of all tropical cyclones occur.
Is September still hurricane season in Florida? ›The Florida hurricane season is most active mid-summer through October. September is the most likely month for landfall hurricanes in the Sunshine State.
What month in Florida has the most hurricanes? ›
The peak of hurricane season occurs between mid-August and late October, when the waters in the equatorial Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico have warmed enough to help support the development of tropical waves. A common misconception in Florida is that there are parts of the state that do not get hurricanes.
What part of Florida is least likely to be hit by a hurricane? ›While the coasts of Florida are beautiful and great areas to live outside of hurricane season, the central and northeastern parts of Florida are generally safer from these storm events.
Is Hurricane Ian worse than Katrina? ›Hurricane Ian is now the deadliest hurricane in the continental United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It made landfall on September 28 along Florida's gulf coast at Category 4 strength, with sustained winds of 155 mph driving a storm surge as high as 18 feet, flinging boats and sweeping homes off foundations.
Which coast of Florida is safer? ›The safest place to live in Florida is Satellite Beach. You'll feel safe living in this quaint city on Florida's space coast, which is home to just over 11,000 people. In 2021, there were only six violent crimes in Satellite Beach, easily making it the safest place to live in Florida.
Will Hurricane Ian go up East Coast? ›“Ian is expected to have a pretty far reach across the East Coast,” Travis said. “The greatest impact certainly being to the state of Florida,” Travis said. “But we are expecting gusty winds as well as tropical rainfall to extend far past Florida, and continue up parts of the East Coast.
What time is Ian supposed to hit Tampa? ›Tuesday's projected track shows a Category 3 Ian approaching the west coast Wednesday with a potential landfall by 8 p.m. that day somewhere within the forecast cone.
Is Hurricane Ian going to hit the East Coast? ›Hurricane Ian landed in Florida as a category hurricane, going up the Atlantic ocean, already in the Carolinas and moving up north and hitting Virginia this past weekend, 10/2/22.
What part of Florida is safest from hurricanes? ›If you want to stay as safe as possible from hurricanes but still want to reap the benefits of being a Florida citizen, inland Florida near the northern border of Georgia is the best place to live. It is the least hurricane-prone area in Florida.
What parts of Florida get the hardest hit? ›1. Southeast Florida (Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach) Southeast Florida is very susceptible to hurricanes, given its location at the tip of the state. Most large hurricanes affect Southeast Florida with storm surges and plentiful rain – and those that make direct landfall can cause severe damage.
Where will Hurricane Ian land? ›Ian came ashore near Cayo Costa, Florida, at 3:05 p.m. EDT with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, tying the record for the fifth-strongest hurricane on record to strike the United States.
Where was the worst damage from Hurricane Ian in Florida? ›
Most of the fatalities have been reported in Florida, specifically in Lee County. That's where popular barrier islands like Pine Island and Sanibel Island were wrecked by storm surge and powerful wind as Ian came ashore, cutting them off from the mainland and complicating rescue operations.
Will Fort Myers be affected by Hurricane Ian? ›The Town of Fort Myers Beach took a catastrophic direct hit from Hurricane Ian on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Ian was a category 4-plus hurricane. Sustained winds were clocked just a few miles per hour short of a category 5.
How far inland did Ian go? ›Water levels rose more than seven feet in the Caloosahatchee River that separates Cape Coral and Fort Myers, as measured some 20 miles inland from the gulf.
What time will Ian hit Fort Myers? ›Hurricane Ian made landfall at 3:05 p.m. as a powerful Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 150 mph.
What category is Hurricane Ian now? ›Hurricane Ian, a category 4 Atlantic hurricane that struck Florida and South Carolina earlier this year, was the costliest disaster in 2022 and the second-largest insured loss on record after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to a new report from reinsurer Swiss Re.
What day did Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers? ›Remains of destroyed houses are seen almost one month after Hurricane Ian landfall in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, October 26, 2022. Homes and trailer parks lining the coast were also decimated by the waters rushing in from the Gulf of Mexico during the storm.
What towns were affected by Ian in Florida? ›The impact of Hurricane Ian. Ian brought record-breaking storm surge highs for Key West, Fort Myers and Naples several feet above previous high water marks, and caused “catastrophic flooding” as it crossed over east-central Florida Thursday morning.
What are the strongest September hurricanes? ›There have only been 37 category 5 storms in recorded history. That means that about 68% of the strongest hurricanes occur in September! 2019's Hurricane Dorian, 1988's Hurricane Gilbert and the Labor Day storm of 1935 produced the strongest September wind speeds, all gusting up to 185 mph.
What is weather like in September in Florida? ›The average high temperature in September is 86-90°F (30-32°C) in Florida. It is peak hurricane season, likely filled with rain showers, storms, and hot and humid weather. Rainfall tends to decrease throughout September with a monthly average of 4.2-5.6 inches.
How common are hurricanes in September? ›Four storms typically develop in any given September. This is more than any other month of the season. Going forward after September, Atlantic tropical activity tends to decrease until the season`s end on November 30. By September 1, an "average" season would have already seen four named storms.
How many hurricanes have hit Florida in September? ›
September is the most active month for hurricanes in Florida. 19 of the 36 major hurricanes made landfall in September, compared to 1 in July.
What was the name of the hurricane that hit Florida in 2022? ›On the morning of Sept. 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Cayo Costa, Florida, a barrier island west of Fort Myers in Lee County. A Category 4 storm, Ian packed 150 mph sustained winds and 10-15 feet of storm surge, making it one of the strongest hurricanes to make landfall in Florida.
What hurricane was sept 3rd 2022? ›After a 60-day lull in tropical cyclone activity, Hurricanes Danielle and Earl formed on September 1 and 3 respectively, with Danielle becoming the season's first hurricane.
Does Florida get hurricanes in September? ›The Florida hurricane season is most active mid-summer through October. September is the most likely month for landfall hurricanes in the Sunshine State. Pat Howard.
Is September a good month to go to Florida? ›As hot summer temperatures turn cooler and the tourism season slows down, mid-September to November can be one of the best seasons to book your Florida vacation. With the reward of fewer crowds and lower rates, there can be risks involved with potential hurricanes or tropical storms.
Where are there no hurricanes in September? ›The “ABC Islands” of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are the classic destinations to go to avoid hurricanes—off the coast of South America, they're about as far south in the Caribbean as you can get. Aruba offers gorgeous white sand beaches, top-notch restaurants, and an arid climate that's lovely year-round.