The Atlantic and Gulf hurricane belt, measured against the world

The season and its peak

NHC's tropical cyclone climatology page sets the Atlantic season at June 1 through November 30 and names September 10 as its peak, with the busiest stretch between mid-August and mid-October. On the 1991 to 2020 base, an average Atlantic season produces 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. NHC adds that the first named storm typically forms in mid to late June, the first hurricane in early to mid-August, and the first major hurricane in late August or early September.

Where the strikes land

NHC's tally of direct hurricane hits on the mainland U.S. coast from 1851 through 2004 shows how heavily the belt leans toward Florida and the Gulf:

NHC cautions that state totals will not necessarily equal the U.S. total, and that Texas and Florida totals will not necessarily equal the sum of their coastal sections.

Landfalls that set records

Michael, 2018

NHC's report describes Michael as a category 5 hurricane at landfall near Mexico Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base, directly responsible for 16 deaths and about $25 billion in U.S. damage. Its 919 mb landfall pressure ranks third lowest for a landfalling U.S. hurricane since 1900, after the 1935 Labor Day hurricane at 892 mb and Camille in 1969 at 900 mb. Storm surge inundation reached an estimated 14 feet above ground in Mexico Beach.

Ian, 2022

Ian came ashore on Cayo Costa at 130 kt after a category 4 landfall in southwestern Florida. NHC credits it with over 150 direct and indirect deaths and more than $112 billion in damage, the costliest hurricane in Florida's history and third costliest in U.S. history. Peak surge inundation reached 10 to 15 feet above ground in Fort Myers Beach.

Harvey, 2017

Harvey rapidly intensified into a category 4 before landfall on the middle Texas coast. At least 68 people died from its direct effects in Texas, the largest number of direct deaths from a tropical cyclone in the state since 1919, and all but three of those deaths came from freshwater flooding. NOAA's damage estimate is $125 billion.

Katrina, 2005

Katrina reached category 5 over the central Gulf, then weakened to category 3 before landfall near Buras, Louisiana, at 110 kt. About 80% of New Orleans flooded, to depths up to about 20 feet, within a day or so of landfall.

Irma, 2017, and Dorian, 2019

Irma struck the Florida Keys as a category 4 and southwestern Florida at category 3. Dorian made landfall in the northwestern Bahamas with estimated winds of 160 kt, then made landfall over Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with 85-kt winds.

The belt against world records

Measured against WMO's list, the Atlantic and Gulf storms above are not the extremes. The world's deadliest tropical cyclone, with an estimated 300,000 deaths, struck coastal Bangladesh on 12 and 13 November 1970. WMO's highest storm surge is 13 m (42 ft), from Tropical Cyclone Mahina at Bathurst Bay, Queensland, on 5 March 1899. The longest-lasting tropical cyclone on its list, Freddy, ran for 36 days in 2023.

Federal disaster declarations since 2000

FEMA's disaster declarations data covers major disaster, emergency and fire management declarations back to 1953. Counting major disasters declared since fiscal year 2000, hurricanes account for a large share in the belt states:

Building for the belt

The 2024 IRC ties its hurricane-prone regions to design wind speed, drawing them along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts where the ultimate design wind speed tops 115 mph. On NHC's own scale, even a Category 1 storm, at 74 to 95 mph, can damage the roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters of a well-constructed frame home.

The National Roofing Directory explains what a FORTIFIED roof is, keeps a Storm Center page for every state, and walks through the roof insurance claim process. To compare roofers along the coast, start with its find-a-roofer directory.

Frequently asked questions

When is the peak of Atlantic hurricane season?

NHC's climatology puts the peak on September 10, in the middle of the mid-August to mid-October window when most activity occurs.

Which state has had the most hurricane strikes?

Florida, with 110 hurricane strikes, 35 of them major, in NHC's count of mainland U.S. direct hits from 1851 through 2004.

How many hurricanes does an average season bring?

On NHC's 1991 to 2020 base, seven hurricanes, three of them major, out of 14 named storms.