Florida offers beautiful weather year-round, with sunny, warm days, lush tropical landscapes, and refreshing beaches. Perhaps you are considering moving there from colder winter climates; hurricanes could make the transition even harder for your loved ones as Florida, Texas, and Louisiana are the three states with the most hurricane landfalls since 1851; out of 302 storms making landfall, 121 have hit Florida alone!

Not all hurricanes were severe or affected the whole state – all parts of Florida have seen some effect. No place in Florida was safe from Hurricane Ian – one of the most powerful storms ever – in September, which devastated Florida’s west coast; many Florida cities only experience occasional hurricanes over their season-long lifespans.

In this blog, we have listed the five most and least hurricane areas in Florida.

Places in Florida that get the most hurricanes

Miami

Miami, the largest city in South Florida, stands a good chance of encountering a hurricane, with one out of every sixteen Florida counties and regions being vulnerable, including a 16% probability that residents of Miami could be hit by one at any given time. Furthermore, 42 feet above sea level and close proximity to major hurricane tracks (50 miles away every 6-8 years) mean it could also pass close by without anyone ever knowing it existed.

Miami residents are frequently adversely impacted by hurricane conditions, with property damages often occurring as a direct result. Hurricane Andrew was the last major hurricane to make landfall in 1992, reaching hurricane-force winds up to 165 mph and becoming the third strongest hurricane to ever land on United States soil.

Andrew’s estimated damage was approximately 26 billion dollars, with high winds and major storm surges being the primary causes.

Tampa

Tampa has experienced its share of hurricane damage over time. Due to its location between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, there is an 11% risk that any storm will hit Tampa directly. Storms often form over water from either direction before entering through Tampa Bay to enter the Gulf.

Residents in Tampa Bay are at high risk of storm surges if a hurricane passes over, given its residential nature and proximity. Although Tampa has not directly been hit by any tropical cyclone since 1921, 68 tropical cyclones have passed within 60 miles of it and caused damages.

Hurricane Charley hit Tampa as a Category 4 storm in 2004 and caused $16 billion worth of damages, leaving an economic calamity in its wake.

Fort Myers

Fort Myers was severely damaged by Hurricane Charley in 2004, which also hit Tampa. Southwest Florida rarely sees hurricanes like Irma hit Fort Myers, but in 2017 Hurricane Irma caused over $64 billion of damages as another Category 4 hurricane with winds reaching 150mph and massive storm waves wreaked havoc across Florida’s southwestern coastline, causing widespread destruction to residential neighborhoods in this small coastal city.

Hurricane damage was felt for days in Florida following Hurricane Irma. Residents of Fort Myers were left without electricity for several days post-hurricane, and unfortunately, there were fatalities as a result of its touchdown.

Melbourne

Brevard County, Central Florida and the Atlantic Coast are vulnerable to destructive hurricanes of significant proportions; however, most that make landfall will weaken before reaching Brevard County and Cocoa. Melbourne-Cocoa may not directly be affected by hurricanes but can still suffer damage from storm surges and strong winds.

Hurricane Charley did not directly hit this region, but hurricanes Jeanne and Frances in 2004 caused more than $2.8 Billion in claims payments.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is highly vulnerable to damage due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and density of population, being Florida’s most populous city without being its biggest metro area. Furthermore, due to a poor drainage system in place, they risk experiencing extreme floods. So if you are a property owner in Jacksonville, you must have flood insurance and the contact number of the public insurance adjuster Jacksonville Florida.

The Least Hurricane-Prone Areas in Florida

Winter Springs

Winter Springs has only experienced 77 hurricanes since 1930, making it a relatively less hurricane-prone area in Florida. Tropical Storm Debby hit in 2012 as the costliest ever recorded, and an unknown storm from 1944 caused one of the largest hurricanes ever witnessed.

Orlando

Orlando remains a great option for those seeking the safest cities from hurricanes despite recent flood damage and Ian’s impact. Orlando, FL, boasts only 77 hurricanes recorded since 1930 – of which Jeanne was recorded as the biggest, while Tropical Storm Debby came through just last year.

Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Central Florida are situated hours away from the ocean, meaning storms should dissipate before reaching this city. About 287,000 residents reside there today, with 22 percent being foreign-born.

Minneola

Minneola in Florida is not particularly vulnerable to hurricanes; only 72 storms have been recorded since 1930; Hurricane Dora hit Minneola most severely, while Tropical Storm Debby made landfall most recently in 2012. Minneola’s North Central Florida village population exceeds 11,000, with 10.4% being born outside the US.

Kissimmee

Kissimmee, Florida, stands as an ideal sanctuary when it comes to hurricanes. Since 1930, only 76 storms have been recorded – the strongest being Hurricane Francis (2004), while tropical Storm Debby struck in 2012. Kissimmee boasts over 70,000 residents and is located conveniently close to Orlando.

Sanford

Sanford, Florida, stands as another oasis in Central Florida that’s safe from hurricanes and tropical cyclones. Situated 20 miles northeast of Orlando with over 60,000 inhabitants and only having experienced 78 hurricanes since 1900 (Hurricane Irene in 1999 was particularly damaging).

Need Help Claiming Hurricane Damage Insurance?

Mother Nature can be unpredictable. Even Florida’s stunning beaches do not make us immune to hurricanes.

Do not wait to seek help after experiencing damage due to a tropical storm or hurricane in Florida; contact ClaimsPro USA immediately so we can assist with filing hurricane and wind damage claims in Florida.