Tyler Gross | October 21, 2024 | Hurricane Safety
After hurricanes Helene and Milton, Pensacola residents are asking the same question that’s on the mind of every Floridian: where will the next hurricane hit?
Since 1850, all parts of Florida’s coastline, including the panhandle, have been affected by at least one hurricane. However, not every part of the state experiences an equal number of named storms annually.
Knowing where a hurricane will likely hit in Florida isn’t a trivial matter. Homeowners need to understand how likely their property is to be affected by the storm surge, flooding, and winds a hurricane brings. Such information can help them decide what insurance coverage they need and whether to rebuild their home after a storm — or continue living in Florida at all.
What Is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with a sustained wind speed of 74 miles per hour or higher, measured over one minute. Hurricanes originate in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern Pacific, while storms in other bodies of water are known as typhoons or tropical cyclones.
Meteorologists determine a hurricane’s severity based on its wind speed.
The least severe type is classified as Category 1 and features maximum sustained wind speeds between 74 and 95 miles per hour. The most destructive hurricanes are Category 5 storms, which are characterized by sustained wind speeds over 156 miles per hour. These are devastating events that can cause widespread damage, flooding, serious injuries, and death.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity between mid-August and late October. Even though a hurricane may make landfall in one location, its effects can be felt hundreds of miles away.
The Probability of a Hurricane in Pensacola
Weather is unpredictable, so it’s impossible to say how likely a hurricane is to make landfall at or near Pensacola during any given year. Given the immense size of these storms, it’s even harder to say whether a hurricane will affect Pensacola in some way.
However, historical information can help illustrate Pensacola’s vulnerability to the threat of hurricanes.
The Panhandle Has the Second-Highest Risk of Hurricane Strikes
Miami and the South Atlantic coastline of Florida are at the highest risk of seeing a direct strike from a hurricane. The panhandle, where Pensacola is located, is at the second-highest risk. Those parts of the state with the lowest risk include the Tampa and Jacksonville areas.
Pensacola Has Seen Eight Hurricanes Since 1975
Eight hurricanes have directly hit Pensacola over the course of approximately 50 years. This number doesn’t include tropical storms that don’t make landfall as hurricanes or storms that hit elsewhere but affect Pensacola. These eight storms include Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Erin in 1995.
Pensacola Has Been Hit or Nearly Hit Twice in One Year
Hurricane Erin made landfall near Pensacola on August 2, 1995. When it reached land, it was a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour.
Approximately two months later, Hurricane Opal landed at Navarre Beach, just 26 miles south and east of Pensacola. Opal was the strongest hurricane of the 1995 season, making landfall as a Category 3 storm.
Understand the Risks of Living in Pensacola
If you’re deciding whether to live in Pensacola or visit at a certain time, it’s vital to consider the benefits and potential drawbacks before making your decision. This includes reckoning with the fact that Pensacola has been and can be struck by powerful hurricanes.
While the city may not experience a hurricane every year, the fact remains that any hurricane season could bring the next catastrophic storm to Pensacola’s shores.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in North Florida
If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We have five convenient locations in Pensacola, Navarre, Crestview, Milton, and Mary Esther.
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Pensacola Office
803 N Palafox St
Pensacola, FL 32501
Phone: (850) 434-3333
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Navarre Office
9933 Navarre Pkwy
Navarre, FL 32566
Phone: (850) 757-2898
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Crestview Office
1501 S Ferdon Blvd
Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: (850) 407-7726
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Milton Office
6373 US-90
Milton, FL 32570
Phone: (850) 790-7790
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Mary Esther Office
151 Mary Esther Blvd Suite 103A
Mary Esther, FL 32569
Phone: (850) 809-0170