Well lets see. These CAT 4 and 5 hurricanes that are striking the US. Prolonged drought in the west and in other regions of the world. Heavy rain events across the world.
The intensity and the frequency has increased.
I mean you do realize that hurricanes in Florida alone are much more extreme then in the past right?
The history of
hurricane activity in Florida over the past 50 years shows a pattern of frequent and intense storms, with significant impacts on the state due to its geographic location. Here's a breakdown of notable trends and events:
1. 1970s–1980s: Moderate Hurricane Activity
- The 1970s and 1980s saw some notable storms, though this period was considered less active compared to later decades.
- Hurricane David (1979): One of the most significant storms of the late '70s, David struck Florida with category 2 strength, causing flooding and damage along the eastern coast.
- Hurricane Elena (1985): This storm looped in the Gulf of Mexico and caused major evacuations along Florida’s west coast.
- Hurricane Andrew (1992): Though in the early '90s, this storm marked a major shift in Florida's hurricane history, causing unprecedented destruction as a category 5 storm.
2. 1990s: Increase in Major Hurricanes
- The 1990s saw increased hurricane activity with devastating impacts, especially starting with Hurricane Andrew (1992), which was one of the most catastrophic hurricanes to ever hit Florida. Andrew caused $26 billion in damage and led to significant changes in building codes and hurricane preparedness.
- Hurricane Opal (1995): Struck the Florida Panhandle as a category 3, causing major damage and coastal erosion.
- The latter half of the 1990s experienced a shift toward more frequent and severe hurricanes as part of the Atlantic hurricane cycle's increased activity phase.
3. 2000s: Historic Storm Seasons
- The 2000s brought some of the most active hurricane seasons in history, particularly in 2004 and 2005, which were devastating for Florida:
- Hurricane Charley (2004): Hit southwest Florida as a category 4 storm, causing extensive damage.
- Hurricane Frances and Jeanne (2004): Both made landfall on Florida’s east coast just weeks apart, bringing widespread flooding and damage.
- Hurricane Ivan (2004): Made landfall near Pensacola, Florida, causing severe damage to the Florida Panhandle.
- Hurricane Wilma (2005): Struck as a category 3 hurricane and became the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record (based on barometric pressure). It caused significant damage in South Florida.
4. 2010s: Continued Activity and Intense Hurricanes
- After a brief lull in major storms during the early 2010s, hurricane activity picked up again:
- Hurricane Hermine (2016): The first hurricane to make landfall in Florida in 11 years, striking the Panhandle.
- Hurricane Irma (2017): One of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded, it made landfall in the Florida Keys as a category 4 and affected nearly the entire state, causing widespread damage, power outages, and flooding.
- Hurricane Michael (2018): Made landfall near Mexico Beach in the Florida Panhandle as a category 5 hurricane, becoming one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the U.S. mainland in terms of wind speed. It caused catastrophic damage, particularly in the Panhandle region.
5. 2020s: Increasing Frequency and Intensity
- The current decade has continued the trend of intense and frequent hurricanes:
- Hurricane Ian (2022): A category 4 storm that struck southwest Florida, causing catastrophic flooding and wind damage. It became one of the costliest hurricanes in Florida’s history.
- Hurricane Elsa (2021): Though a smaller storm, it still caused significant flooding and damage in parts of Florida.
Key Trends Over 50 Years:
- More frequent, intense storms: Since the late 1990s, the frequency of category 4 and 5 hurricanes has increased, aligning with global warming trends and warmer ocean temperatures.
- Increased damage: With rapid population growth and urban development along Florida's coastlines, economic damage from hurricanes has risen significantly, even as building codes and disaster preparedness have improved.
Summary:
Florida has experienced a significant increase in
major hurricanes over the past five decades, particularly in the 2000s and 2010s, with a noticeable trend toward more powerful and destructive storms.
www.forbes.com
