Hurricane History

Throughout history, the Florida peninsula has been a prime target for severe weather, ranging in intensity from tropical storms to fierce Category 5 hurricanes. We take a look back at the history of hurricanes – including Andrew in 1992 and the unprecedented season of 2004, four direct hits which left widespread damage and devastation in their wake.

2004 Hurricane Photo Gallery - Photos courtesy of The Palm Beach Post

HURRICANES - A HISTORY
Archives of past hurricanes - National Hurricane Center (NHC)
Hurricane Timeline - Florida's State Emergency Response Team (SERT)

HURRICANES OF 2004
The hurricane season of 2004 will remain with Floridians for years to come. We look back at this unprecedented hurricane season and its impact on the Sunshine State. (6.5Mb)

THE HURRICANE OF 1928
A retrospective look at the Great Florida Hurricane of 1928 that killed thousands of people as it cut through Palm Beach County and up the state, taking a path eerily close to Frances. (16Mb)
Related link:
National Weather Service Memorial Page

SECOND TIME SURVIVOR
Meet 90-year-old Ben Shepard, and his wife of 70 years, residents of DeSoto County. They survived Hurricane Charley even though their home did not, but this isn't his first brush with a devastating hurricane. (11Mb)

FOUR major hurricanes hit Florida in 2004 causing widespread damage. Below are some statistics for each of the storms:

Hurricane Charley:
Date of landfall: August 13th
Landfall wind speed: 135 mph (Category 4)
Rainfall: 5 - 8 inches
Damages: $14 Billion

Hurricane Frances:
Date of landfall: September 5th
Landfall wind speed: 87 mph (Category 2)
Rainfall: 5 - 10 inches
Damages: $9 Billion

Hurricane Ivan:
Date of landfall: September 16th
Landfall wind speed: 120 mph (Category 3)
Rainfall: 3 - 7 inches
Damages: $13 Billion

Hurricane Jeanne:
Date of landfall: September 25th
Landfall wind speed: 120 mph (Category 3)
Rainfall: 11 - 13 inches
Damages: $6.9 Billion

(sources: National Hurricane Center; Wikipedia.org)