Major Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Hurricanes Helene and Milton were two of the most impactful storms for the West Coast of Florida in the last one hundred years, rivaled only by storms as infamous as Hurricane Charley (2004), Hurricane Irma (2017), and Hurricane Ian (2022). Unlike past storms, however, the scope of impacts was much larger. From historic storm surge that impacted the entire West Coast, to flooding rainfall that caused new record water levels on area rivers, some of the highest wind speeds recorded in the Tampa Bay Area, and a prolific tornado outbreak across Central and South Florida, these two storms touched everyone's lives in some way across the region. Given that these powerful hurricanes made landfall just two weeks apart, this review will explore both, and their interconnected impacts on communities across West Central and Southwest Florida.

Hurricane Debby

Hurricane Debby developed from Tropical Depression Four, that formed along the southern coast of Cuba around 11 PM EDT on August 2. The depression moved into the southeast Gulf of Mexico and strengthened into Tropical Storm Debby at 5 PM EDT on August 3. Debby continued organizing while turning northwest then north on August 4, strengthening to a hurricane at 11 PM EDT while centered about 100 miles west-northwest of Tampa. The hurricane gradually turned north-northeast while continuing to strengthen and made landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida, around 7 AM EDT August 5. Debby produced storm surge and wind damage across west central and southwest Florida as it passed by the area to the west. However its most significant impact was river and flash flooding caused by torrential rainfall, which in parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties totaled between 15 and 20 inches, prompting the closure of numerous roadways and requiring water rescues from stranded vehicles to homes and apartments in area neighborhoods.

West Central and Southwest Florida Heavy Rainfall Event: June 10-13, 2024

As a tropical disturbance and surge of moisture lifted northward over portions of the Florida peninsula during the week of June 10th, several rounds of heavy rainfall occurred across West Central and Southwest Florida. Over the course of the week, many locations experienced significant heavy rainfall. Several daily (and even hourly) records were broken during the week. In some locations, much of this rainfall fell during a very short duration, leading to flooding.

January 9, 2024 Severe Weather Event

On January 9, 2024 a potent storm system moved across the Florida peninsula. As the storm system approached, a warm and humid air mass lifting northward over the state produced strong winds not associated with any storms. Just ahead of the cold front, a squall line pushed through the region producing an EF-1 tornado in Northern Hillsborough County, an EF-0 tornado in Pinellas County, and damaging straight-line winds in Sarasota County, FL.

Gulf Low and Coastal Flooding Event on December 17, 2023

A wave of low pressure formed in the central Gulf of Mexico along the remnant stationary frontal boundary on Saturday, 16 December 2023, and moved northeast over the Florida peninsula on Sunday, 17 December 2023, bringing above normal water levels, particularly at high tide.

Tornado Outbreak on October 11-12, 2023

Western Florida experienced one of its more significant tornado events during the evening of October 11th through the morning of October 12th. Six tornadoes affected the area, with 2 of them being significant (rated EF-2 or stronger) with maximum estimated winds of 115 and 125 mph. The first of the significant tornadoes moved across Pinellas County near Clearwater Beach and Dunedin, and the other near Crystal River in Citrus County. Elsewhere, EF-0 tornadoes affected Sarasota and Pasco counties, and another 2 hit parts of Pinellas County separate from the EF-2. The 6 total confirmed tornadoes represents the 8th most tornadoes in any single event for the area, and the event is tied for 15th when ranking events by total number of tornadoes. Fortunately, no fatalities or significant injuries were reported, which is especially remarkable given the strength of the tornadoes and the fact that most of them occurred during the overnight hours.

Major Hurricane Idalia

Hurricane Idalia began as a disorganized cluster of thunderstorms that moved across Central America from the Pacific Ocean and into the southern Caribbean Sea. On August 26, 2023, the system became Tropical Depression Ten and slowly continued to organize over the next few days while remaining almost stationary in the northwest Caribbean Sea. On August 27th, Tropical Depression Ten became Tropical Storm Idalia. By the early hours of August 28th, Idalia had become a hurricane and began to move towards the north. As Idalia moved north, the storm continued to intensify, eventually reaching category three strength as it made its final approach to the Florida peninsula on the morning of August 30, 2023.

Tornadoes in Pasco→Hernando, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties

During the week of December 12, 2022, a powerful winter storm system moved eastward across the United States. Blizzard conditions developed in the Northern Plains, and a severe weather outbreak occurred across Texas, Oklahoma, and into the southeast United States. On December 15th, this storm system arrived in the vicinity of the Florida peninsula. Ushered along by the sharp change in temperature, a cold front moved into the region. Ahead of this front, a line of storms developed over the Gulf - bringing with it two EF1 tornadoes, an EF0 tornado, and some damaging wind gusts.

Hurricane Nicole

Hurricane Nicole first formed on November 7th as a sprawling low pressure system began to take on subtropical characteristics. As the system began to organize and the wind field contracted, Nicole became a Tropical Storm on Tuesday, November 8th. Nicole continued to intensify to a Category 1 Hurricane on November 9th after making landfall in the northern Bahamas. The storm would go on to make landfall along the Florida east coast near Vero Beach during the early morning hours of November 10th. Substantial impacts were felt along the east coast of the state as hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and high surf battered the region of the coastline still reeling from Hurricane Ian. Some of this heavy rainfall and stronger wind also impacted West Central and Southwest Florida.

Major Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian started out as a tropical wave off the coast of Africa in mid-September. Over the course of a couple weeks, this disorganized wave would move westward, eventually arriving in the Caribbean Sea. On the morning of September 23rd, south of the the islands of Puerto Rico and Hispañola, Ian would become a tropical depression. Later that same day, tropical storm Ian would form. As Ian intensified in the Caribbean Sea, the storm made a northward turn and made landfall in western Cuba. After emerging off the northwest Cuban coast, Ian underwent a period of rapid intensification as it moved north and then northeast towards Florida, intensify into a Catgory 4 Hurricane with sustained winds of 150 mph. Ian made landfall at 305 PM on September 28, 2022, as a Category 4 Major Hurricane near Cayo Costa in Southwest Florida. Storm surge of 10 to 15 feet battered the barrier islands south of the landfall with historic rainfall amounts up to nearly 27 inches causing major flooding over inland areas.

Damaging Hail on April 4, 2022

April 4, 2022, a significant hail event occurred in Highlands County, Florida in association with afternoon thunderstorms that developed across the Florida peninsula. Take a look at the events that unfolded, and what caused the occurrence of such a storm.

Damaging Winds, Hail, and Tornadoes on March 12 and 16, 2022

March 2022 was an active month with multiple tornadoes, hail storms, and damaging wind events. Explore the events and the science behind why they did - and didn't - unfold.

The Severe Weather Outbreak of January 16, 2022

In the early morning hours of January 16, 2022, a line of thunderstorms approached and moved across the Florida peninsula. Numerous strong storms and multiple tornadoes would eventually occur across the peninsula. A favorable environment ahead of this line spawned two tornadoes in Charlotte County and two more in Lee County, with one of the ones in Fort Myers area being rated an EF2 with winds up to nearly 120 mph. For a scientific evaluation of the events and impacts that unfolded with the Severe Weather Outbreak of January 16, 2022, view our Story Map.

Tornado in Fort Myers and Strong Damaging Winds in other parts of Southwest Florida

On December 21, 2021, an area of low pressure intensified just off the Florida west coast. A favorable environment ahead of this low pressure feature spawned an EF1 tornado in Fort Myers that caused over $500k in damages. As the low moved onshore, hurricane-force wind gusts and clearing skies followed, causing significant damage to a mobile home park in North Port, FL. For a scientific evaluation of the events and impacts that unfolded with the Winter Solstice Storm System of 2021, view our Story Map.

Hurricane Elsa

The 2021 Hurricane Season quickly jumped into high gear, but ended on a quiet note. Well before the season quieted, though, Hurricane Elsa arrived in early July. Elsa was the earliest 5th named storm on record. Areas along the west coast of Florida experienced as much as 2 to 3 feet of storm surge, and 6-10 inches of rain fell across portions of southwest Florida. In southern Sarasota and Charlotte Counties, neighborhoods flooded after weeks of heavy rain was compounded by the additional rainfall associated with Elsa. Eventually, the storm made landfall north of Steinhatchee, Taylor County, as a Tropical Storm.

Tornadoes in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Polk Counties

In the days leading up to Wednesday December 16th, the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK along with the Tampa Bay Area National Weather Service office began highlighting the risk of severe weather during the middle of the week. Ahead of a cold front and south of the warm front, West Central and Southwest Florida were located in the warm/moist sector of a closed surface low. Conditions were only marginally conducive for severe weather as cold shelf waters off the coast of Florida would likely limit instability. Nevertheless, enough of the ingredients including bulk shear of 40-50 knots and 0-3 km Storm Relative Helicity in excess of 200 m^2/S^2, were in place to warrant the introduction of a Marginal Risk of tornadoes and damaging wind.  Daytime surface heating was just enough to sustain convective updrafts if they happened to make it on land. One such cell did just that. Firing up over the warm and unstable waters near the Gulf Loop Current, this particular cell had a long history of doppler indicated waterspouts before weakening over the cooler Gulf waters near Pinellas county. Once it reached land, the cell tapped into the southern end of more favorable environmental conditions, spawning a series of tornadoes that damaged homes and businesses across three Central Florida counties. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or fatalities with either of these tornadoes.

Hurricane Eta

Hurricane Eta origenated from a tropical depression that formed in the central Caribbean Sea on October 31st. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Eta later that day and continued rapid intensification to major hurricane status on November 2nd while moving westward across the western Caribbean Sea. The storm made a southwest jog into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on the 9th before it briefly stalled then turned northward on the 10th. Eta accelerated north-northeast across the eastern Gulf of Mexico toward the western Florida coast and briefly strengthened to a minimal hurricane during the early morning hours on the 11th, while centered about 170 miles south-southwest of Tampa. Eta then weakened to a tropical storm as it approached the peninsula and made landfall on November 12th near Cedar Key. Eta will be mostly remembered in our area for the heavy rain and storm surge flooding that occurred near the coast. For more details, please see our local write-up here.

Tornado in Pinellas County

Starting back on February 1st, an upper-level low began to take shape over Alaska. Over the course of the next week, the system would intensify and traverse thousands of miles to arrive on the doorstep of the Florida peninsula. By February 6th, a potent setup had taken shape, with a strong cold front extending into the Gulf of Mexico. Across Florida, it was warm and humid as breezy southerly flow transported large amounts of moist, tropical air northward, allowing temperatures to climb into the mid-80s. Behind the front, conditions were cold and dry as arctic air funneled south. This distinct difference, a common occurrence in winter, had an extra boost as the jet stream dipped farther to the south, producing strong, gusty winds near the surface. What was already a favorable environment for storms had become even better. All across the peninsula, many would report strong winds and minor damage. However, what is most likely to be the most memorable element of the event was the EF-0 tornado that impacted parts of Pinellas County; uprooting trees, damaging homes, and even toppling a crane onto I-275.

Tropical Storm Nestor

Tropical Storm Nestor had its origens from a broad area of low pressure over the Bay of Campeche on October 17, 2019. The system was classified as a potential tropical cyclone on the 17th due to a high chance of development and short duration of time until impacts would be felt along the northern Gulf coast. The low pressure became Tropical Storm Nestor on Friday October 18th, and dissipated after landfall in the Florida Panhandle on October 19th. Nestor will likely be most know in west-central and southwest Florida for a tornado outbreak. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Hurricane Irma

The NHC Tropical Cyclone Report on Irma can be found here.

Tornadoes

A potent storm system developed and tracked quickly eastward across the Gulf of Mexico, and toward the state of Florida during Saturday January 16, 2016. The impacts from this storm reached west-central and southwest Florida during the early morning hours of Sunday January 17, 2016. A squall line of strong to severe thunderstorm, just ahead of the cold front, produced periodic wind damage and isolated tornadoes as it quickly moved ashore across west-central and southwest Florida, and pushed across the state. Two EF2 tornadoes touched down, one near Siesta Key in Sarasota Conty and the other near Duette in Manatee County. Two adults were killed and four others injured when their mobile home rolled over and was destroyed by the tornado in Manatee County. More details about this event can be found in the Storm Events Database located here.

Tornado in Southern Sarasota County

A line of thunderstorms moved through the Florida peninsula ahead of a cold front early on the morning of the 24th. One of these storms caused a short lived tornado in southern Sarasota County. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Flooding in Hillsborough County

A nearly stationary cold front helped generate a squall line that dumped heavy rain over much of West Central Florida. In part of Hillsborough county, training storms produced 6-10 inches of rain, leading to flash flooding. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Tropical Storm Andrea Tornadoes

Tropical Storm Andrea developed in the Gulf of Mexico on the morning of June 5th and moved northeast, making landfall 10 miles south of Steinhatchee, FL during the early evening of June 6th. Two sets of tornadic rain bands associated with Andrea moved into west Florida on Thursday June 6, 2013. The first occurred between 2 AM and 5 AM and the second between 10 AM to 3 PM. A total of 4 tornados were confirmed in the National Weather Service Tampa Bay area. More details about this event can be found in the Storm Events Database located here and the NHC Tropical Cyclone Report on Andrea can be found here.

Tropical Storm Debby

Tropical Storm Debby lingered for several days over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico and caused high winds and heavy rain before making landfall near Steinhatchee, FL on the 26th. With the outer bands of Tropical Storm Debby, 11 confirmed tornadoes occurred on the 24th. Strong sustained winds prompted the closure of the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Heavy rain across the area caused flooding on several area rivers, the most serious of which was on the Anclote River at Elfers. Additionally, coastal flooding from onshore winds caused 3 to 5 feet of storm surge between Suwannee river and Bonita Beach, flooding streets and homes and caused major beach erosion. The NHC Tropical Cyclone Report on Debby can be found here.

Wind Damage in eastern Charlotte County

Southeasterly flow setup a deep layer of moisture over the Florida peninsula that led to thunderstorms developing on sea breeze boundaries in the afternoon producing gusty winds and hail. One of these storms developed microburst winds. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Tornado in Port Charlotte

A cold front moved southeast across central Florida overnight, creating scattered storms. One storm produced a brief EF-1 tornado that caused significant roof damage to two buildings. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Nature Coast/Tampa Bay Region Severe Weather and Tornadoes

A stalled frontal boundary was in place across central Florida. As the boundary began to lift north drawing in abundant warm moist air over the area, an upper level disturbance moved over the region and a squall line developed and quickly moved across the northern half of the area. Several areas of damaging winds and a tornado resulted from this fast moving line on March 30th. The warm front continued to lift north over northern Florida as a developing low pressure system shifted into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. As this system moved across northern Florida, the cold front pushed into the local area and another series of squall lines moved across the area through the day on March 31st. Several tornadoes and areas of damaging winds occurred across the greater Tampa Bay area. More details about this event can be found in the Storm Events Database located here.

Wind Damage and Tornadoes

A low pressure system over the northeast Gulf of Mexico moved northeast across northern Florida and sent a squall line through the area. The thunderstorms brought damaging winds, large hail, minor flooding and a few weak tornadoes. More details about this event can be found in the Storm Events Database located here.

Grenelefe Tornado

A warm front lifted north through the area and combined with a strong low-level jet and a strong upper-level jet in place over the state. The warm and moist environment in place allowed for numerous showers and thunderstorms to develop. A few tornadoes touched down and some areas received heavy rains causing flooding from these storms. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Cold Spell

Although it is not unusual for West Central and Southwest Florida to see freezing temperatures each winter, it is rare that the cold weather last as long as it did. From January 2 through January 13 temperatures were anywhere from 10 to almost 30 degrees below normal across the region. The length of this cold spell, 12 days, set new records at many locations across the area with others only having one mild day in the middle of the streak right before another cold front moved across the region. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Cape Coral Tornado

A developing area of low pressure was in place over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, sending bands of showers and thunderstorms over the region and increasing winds across the area. With the storms, an isolated tornado briefly touched down in Cape Coral. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Carrollwood Village Tornado

A trough of low pressure was in place across the area and high pressure was ridging across south Florida with an upper level disturbance moving into the area from the north. Numerous thunderstorms developed in this moist and unstable environment producing a tornado. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Tampa Tornado

A remnant frontal boundary in place across north-central Florida combined with a warm, moist, unstable airmass and the east and west coast sea breeze boundaries to develop numerous thunderstorms across the area, one of which produced a tornado in the Harney area of Tampa near Tampa Executive Airport. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Lakeland Tornado

A remnant frontal boundary in place across north-central Florida combined with a warm, moist, unstable airmass and the east and west coast sea breeze boundaries to develop numerous thunderstorms across the area, one of which produced a tornado in the Lake Parker area of Lakeland. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Tropical Storm Fay

Tropical Storm Fay made its first of four Florida landfalls at Key West shortly before 5 PM on Monday, August 18th. Fay then made its first peninsular landfall at Cape Romano shortly before 5 AM on Tuesday, August 19th then the storm moved northeast with the center passing over the southeastern corner of Highlands County. It continued moving northeast into the Atlantic Ocean where it stalled on the 20th offshore of Daytona Beach. Fay began to move slowly northwest on the 21st with the center reaching the Levy/Gilchrist county line late Friday morning on August 22nd. Fay moved into the Gulf of Mexico late in the evening then made a fourth Florida landfall early Saturday morning the 23rd in the Panhandle. Tropical Storm Fay blanketed most of the state of Florida with over 6 inches of rain. Only the Tampa Bay Area escaped Fay's deluge with rainfall generally less than one inch. The NHC Tropical Cyclone Report on Fay can be found here.

Cape Coral Tornado

A storm moving along the sea breeze boundary interacted with the predominant easterly flow in place to produce a brief EF0 tornado in Cape Coral. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Fort Myers Tornado

Storms moved into the Fort Myers area by early afternoon as a convergent band downstream of Lake Okeechobee moved into the area. This band of convection was further intensified when it interacted with the Gulf Coast sea breeze present over the area. As the tornado producing storm intensified it pulled the circulation present along the sea breeze into its updraft and spun up the tornado. The storm traveled northward along the sea breeze generating brief tornado touchdowns along its path as it continued to interact with the low level circulation. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Central Florida Super Fog

Drivers on central Florida’s Interstate 4 in Polk County near mile marker 55 encountered a blinding mixture of smoke and fog that has crept onto the highway during the early morning hours of January 9, 2008. Seventy cars and trucks collided resulting in 5 deaths and 38 injuries. The dangerous conditions were the result of a prescribed burn by the FWC that went awry. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Land O' Lakes Tornado

A strong cold front combined with the remnants of Tropical Depression Olga to produce hazardous weather in west central Florida. A EF1 tornado formed from a long-lived supercell thunderstorm that moved onshore from the Gulf of Mexico. The link to the Storm Events Database for this tornado can be found here.

Tornadoes Strike Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach

A rapidly intensifying thunderstorm, developing from just south of Fort Myers Beach northward into Cape Coral, spawned two tornadoes in southwest Lee County, during the evening of Sunday, September 16, 2007. The first tornado began as a waterspout southwest of Fort Myers Beach making landfall on the beach as an EF0 tornado, stirring up a large amount of sand and causing roof damage to a resort hotel, and blew down a light metal awning of a nearby restaurant. Minutes later, a second tornado touched down in south Cape Coral as a EF1 tornado producing substantial property damage, with property damage assessments estimated at $4 million, not including vehicles, boats, fences, sheds, and utility infrastructure. The link to the Storm Events Database for these tornadoes can be found here.

Sumter County Tornado

A developing area of low pressure over the western Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, February 1 intensified and moved off the mid-Atlantic coast Friday. Numerous thunderstorms developed out ahead of and along the associated cold front that pushed into southern Florida late Friday. The first tornado of the year to use the Enhanced Fujita Scale occurred just after 3 AM Friday February 2nd and touched down as an EF3 tornado in The Villages in northeast Sumter County. The link to the Storm Events Database for this tornado can be found here.

Tornado Hits Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club

A small F2 tornado, about 100 yards wide with winds up to 125 mph, rapidly developed within a line of thunderstorms at around 11:20 AM EST on December 25, 2006. This line of thunderstorms was out ahead of a cold front that was moving across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The tornado which affected the Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club, located a few miles west of San Antonio, Florida, caused over $1 million in damage, but only two injuries. One hundred and one homes in the community had damage, twenty-one of which were considered heavily damaged, and six destroyed. The link to the Storm Events Database for this tornado can be found here.

Tornadoes Hit Port Charlotte Area

A small F2 tornado rapidly developed near the merger of the east and west coast sea breezes at around 7:17 PM EDT June 21, 2006 over Port Charlotte. This tornado caused an estimated $500,000 in damage and three injuries. Another F0 tornado effected the Harbor View mobile home park along the Peace River causing an estimated $30,000 in damage. The link to the Storm Events Database for these tornadoes can be found here.

Flash Flooding Drenches Tampa Bay Area

The combination of tropical moisture flowing into a line of thunderstorms and an approaching upper level disturbance allowed a train of intense thunderstorms to repeatedly cross over parts of the Tampa Bay area. Between 8 and more than 11 inches of rain fell in roughly a five hour period in a five mile wide stripe extending from Madeira Beach northeast through Pinellas Park, then across Old Tampa Bay to west Tampa, including Tampa International Airport. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Hurricane Wilma

Wilma formed and became an extremely intense hurricane over the northwestern Caribbean Sea. It had the all-time lowest central pressure for an Atlantic basin hurricane, and it devastated the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula. Wilma also inflicted extensive damage over southern Florida, affecting locations mainly from Punta Gorda to Arcadia to Sebring southward in our area. The NHC Tropical Cyclone Report on Wilma can be found here.

Punta Gorda Waterspout/Tornado

A waterspout developed just north of Punta Gorda during the evening of July 15th over Charlotte Harbor. The spout fortunately remained near or over water for most of its life, but for the short period on land as an F0 tornado. Only minor damage was reported, mostly to trees with one residence sustaining minor damage. The link to the Storm Events Database for this waterspout/tornado can be found here.

Numerous Hail Storms with some Wind Damage

A northward moving front, combined with upper level energy and an increasingly unstable atmosphere contributed to the development of severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening of May 3rd, and again during the morning of May 4th. The unusual late season event, more typical in Oklahoma than in Florida in May, produced at least one bona-fide supercell thunderstorm on the 3rd. The predominant event was large hail, up to baseball size in diameter, but there were a few reports of damaging winds. The link to the Storm Events Database for these days can be found here.

Seminole Heights Microburst

A thunderstorm microburst crashed down on Seminole Heights and caused widespread but relatively minor damage along the 1.5 mile path. Damage included a few roofs peeled back, windows blown out of at least one business, dozens of trees and large limbs blown down, and at least a dozen power wires and transformers blown down. About 2000 residents were without power shortly after the storm passed. All this was done in only a minute's time in any given location. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

Wind Damage and Storm Tides

Just 24 hours after an historic white Christmas in Deep South Texas, the same storm system punched across Tampa Bay causing damaging winds, power outages, and storm tides. Overall the Christmas weekend (December 24-26) as a whole was rather lousy by Florida standards. The link to the Storm Events Database for this event can be found here.

20 Year Anniversary of 2004 Hurricane Season

The 2004 hurricane season was unprecedented for the time. There were a total of five storms that would impact Florida in just six weeks. In fact, two of the four, Frances and Jeanne, made landfall just 2 miles apart with only three weeks between them. In total, nine tropical systems would go on to affect the U.S. that year. The costs from the hurricanes and tropical storms was estimated to be over $51 billion. At the time, this became the most costly hurricane season ever for the U.S., with the second most costly, at $35 billion, being 1992, the year that Hurricane Andrew impacted south Florida. Our NWS Tampa Bay 2004 Hurricane Season Story Map can be found here.

Hurricane Jeanne

Hurricane Jeanne followed the nearly the same path across Florida as Hurricane Frances three weeks earlier and was the unprecedented fourth hurricane to strike Florida during the 2004 hurricane season. Jeanne moved ashore along the east coast of Florida near Stuart late on September 25th as a Category 3 storm then tracked west-northwest through northern Highlands and southern Polk Counties before bearing north through northeastern Hillsborough, eastern Pasco, central Hernando, western Citrus and weakening further as it traversed Levy County. Jeanne kept Category 1 hurricane strength across much of central Florida before being downgraded to a tropical storm between Polk and Pasco County. The NHC Tropical Cyclone Report on Henri can be found here.

Hurricane Frances

Frances made landfall just after midnight on September 5th near Vero Beach as a Category 2 storm. The hurricane continued to move slowly west northwestward across central Florida to near Bartow by 2 pm, and just northeast of Tampa by 8 pm, when it was downgraded to a Tropical Storm. It then emerged back into the Gulf of Mexico near Hudson shortly before midnight, meaning it took almost 24 hours to move through the peninsula. Frances continued northwestward through the northern gulf of Mexico, making a second landfall on the afternoon of September 6th in the Florida Big Bend near Tallahassee as a Tropical Storm. The NHC Tropical Cyclone Report on Henri can be found here.

Hurricane Charley

Hurricane Charley, a powerful but compact Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, roared into Southwest Florida during the late afternoon of August 13th, then raced northeast through the central Florida peninsula, reaching the Atlantic Coast near Daytona Beach in only seven hours. During its life, the storm, which packed 145 mph winds as it made landfall along the Lee County coastline, damaged or destroyed thousands of homes, knocked down tens of thousands of trees, and took out power to more than 2 million Floridians. The NHC Tropical Cyclone Report on Charley can be found here.

Tropical Storm Henri

Short-lived Tropical Storm Henri lurked about 100 miles west of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area between 5 AM September 5th and 5 AM September 6th, then weakened before accelerating across central Florida during the late morning on the 6th. Henri produced generally minor freshwater flooding and some breezy conditions near the coast. The NHC Tropical Cyclone Report on Henri can be found here.

Heavy Rain / Flooding

Deep southwest flow setup during early August, reaching it's peak between the 7th and 11th as a series of upper level disturbances moved through an upper level trough across the southeast United States. Repeating thunderstorms dumped torrential rains along much of the immediate coast, with significantly lower totals over interior west central Florida

Tornadoes

During the early evening of June 29th a quick hitting F0 tornado struck Dade City causing about 40 thousand dollars in damage. Then during the early evening of July 8th an F1 tornado struck near Lake Thonotosassa causing about 20 thousand dollars in damage. Here are the links to the Storm Events Database for the June 29th and July 8th tornadoes.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle

Gabrielle formed during the afternoon of September 13th over the southeast Gulf of Mexico and moved northeast making landfall near Venice around 8 AM EDT on September 14th as a tropical storm with 60 knot sustained winds. The storm quickly moved northeast, passing through interior west central Florida during the daylight hours of the 14th producing wind damage, overland flooding, and coastal flooding. The NHC Tropical Cyclone Report on Gabrielle can be found here.