Florida Matches Record Hurricane Landfalls in 2024, Reports Howden Re

Florida matched its record for hurricane landfalls during the highly active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, according to Howden Re. With 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes, the season was classified as "extremely active" by the NOAA. Three hurricanes—Beryl, Milton, and Helene—struck Florida, tying the state’s record for the most landfalls in a single season.

The season’s intensity was fueled by historically warm ocean temperatures, contributing to milestones such as Hurricane Beryl becoming the earliest recorded Category 5 hurricane and Hurricane Milton achieving Category 5 status with unprecedented speed. While Tampa Bay avoided a direct hit from Milton, the storm caused severe flooding, storm surges, and a significant tornado outbreak.

Florida’s record-tying landfalls underscore the far-reaching impacts of hurricanes. Additionally, unusual storm paths, like Hurricane Helene’s northwest trajectory, led to severe flooding in North Carolina and Tennessee, highlighting the widespread recovery challenges faced by affected regions.

The season’s activity was meticulously tracked, with Hurricane Hunters conducting 163 missions, deploying over 2,000 weather sensors to enhance storm monitoring. Despite a mid-season lull, late-season hurricanes driven by warm ocean waters contributed to projections placing 2024 as the second-costliest hurricane season on record.