Fort Myers, Florida's History with Tropical Systems

(br) = Brush (ts) = Tropical Storm (bd) = Back Door, meaning coming from over land from opposite coast. Not all names are noted. Also, storms before 1950 were not named. Not every stat on every storm description is given. (since 1871)

Fort Myers most likely to be hit by a hurricane between September 7th and 13th

Years within or near core

1873m
1876br
1878-2ts
1888bd
1891bdts
1891ts
1894m
1895ts
1896ts
1897ts
1899ts
1901bdts
1903bdts
1904bdts
1910
1916ts
1924br
1925tsbr
1926bdm
1928ts
1928bdbrm
1929bd
1932bdts
1935m
1936bdts
1941bd
1944
1945ts
1945bdm
1946br
1947bd
1948brm
1949bdbrm
1950br
1950bdbrm
1951ts
1953
1959ts
1960m
1964m
1965bdbrm
1966m
1968ts
1969ts
1985ts
1988tsbr
1990tsbr
1992bdbrm
1994ts
1998bdbr
1998ts
1999tsbr
2001ts
2004m
2005m
2008tsbr
2017
2018bdtsbr
2020tsbr
2021br
2022m
2022bdtsbr
2024-2mbr

65 times in 153 years (as of end of 2024)

Names from list above (G and H storms most likely to impact the area)

How
King
Hazel
Donna
Isbell
Judith
Abbey
Jenny
Dennis
Bob
Andrew
Gordon
Georges
Mitch
Harvey
Gabrielle
Charley
Wilma
Fay
Irma
Gordon
Eta
Elsa
Ian
Nicole
Helene
Milton

Tropical Storm to Hurricane ratio

TS = 32, 49.23%
H = 33, 50.77%

only 29.23% of all tropical systems affecting Fort Myers are major hurricanes this includes brushes

Longest gap between storms

15 years 1970-1984

How often this area gets affected?

Fort Myers Brushed or hit every 2.35 years

Average years between direct hurricane hits. (hurricane force winds for at least a few hours)

Once every 8.5 years. (18 hits) State stats

Average years between major hurricane hits.

Once every 15.30 years. (10 hits)

Average MPH of hurricane hits. (based on sustained winds from advisories, not gusts)

112 mph

Statistically when this area should be affected next

Before the end of 2027

This is just a statistical average & does not mean the area will be affected by that year.

Last affected by

2024 October 9th Hurricane Milton hits Sarasota 53 miles to the north-northwest with 120 mph winds while moving east-northeast.

This area's hurricane history

1873, Punta Rassa destroyed near Fort Myers by 110 mph winds, 14 foot storm surge, October 6th, was a category 3 upon approach with 115 mph winds. Hit map
1888 August 17th 80 mph from the east-southeast
1894 September 25th 120 mph coming from the south.
1910 October 18th 105 mph gusts to 125 mph, pressure 28.20 inHg, very destructive storm surge traveled well inland from the south-southwest
1926 125 mph coming east-southeast from Miami September 18th.
1929 September 29th 95 mph from the east-southeast.
1935 September 3rd, 115 mph from the southeast.
1941 October 6th, 110 mph from the southeast heavy flooding.
1944 October 19th, 75 mph while passing just west from the south. Forecaster Grady Norton called this 2 days in advance.
1945 September 16th 125 mph from the southeast
1947 a hurricane which pounded the east coast hits here just south with 100 mph winds on September 17th causing 8.72 inches of rain while moving slowly west.
1953 October 9th, Hurricane Hazel hits with 75 mph winds 987mb (HURDAT) from the southwest.
1960 September 10th Donna Adv winds 125 mph from sse 95 mph winds gusts over 120 mph a 7 foot storm surge, pressure 28.08 inHg, 155 mph reported on private anemometer. 1:30 pm winds sustained northeast at 92 mph, 28.08 inHg. More here | Gordon Dunn talks about forecasting Donna | Weather service post sketch | NHC Wallet
1964 Hurricane Isbell comes ashore October 15th south of here with 125 mph winds causing very heavy damage in southwest Florida. NHC Wallet
1966 Hurricane Alma passes 57 miles to the west with 115 mph winds right front HF wind field hits the area. Hit map
2004 August 13th Hurricane Charley core moves in just north with 145 mph winds. Sporadic damage throughout Lee county with much heavier damage to the north. Offshore captive island lost approximately 1/4 of housing with 1 billion in damage in sanabel & captiva. South seas resort heavily damaged. Article | Radar animation (Brian McNoldy, Univ. of Miami, Rosenstiel School)
2005, October 24th, Hurricane Wilma comes in approximately 40 miles to the south with 125 mph winds while moving very quickly northeast at 25 mph. Many trees, signs and debris in streets but not any worse than from Charley in 2004. Official final report from NHC reports 64 mph sustained with gusts to 76 mph. The famous Edison home lost a lot of it's vegetation. Radar animation (Brian McNoldy, Univ. of Miami, Rosenstiel School) Wilma satelite picture | Our coverage as it happened
2017 September 10th Hurricane Irma passes just 10 miles east while moving north with 100 mph winds causing minor damage with 3.28 foot storm tide. Power outage photos before & after | Best performing models 5 days before hit | UKMET model 2 days out | Long range GEFS many days out | Relief concert 5 former presidents attend | Best track data | USGS surge info | Our live coverage | Radar animation (Brian McNoldy, Univ. of Miami, Rosenstiel School) | Aftermath video tour | NHC report
2022 September 28th Hurricane Ian hits with 150 mph winds while passing 15 miles to the northwest at closest approach. Area inundated with huge storm surge up to first floor roofs storm surge at 7.25 ft. Photo of destruction | Mike Seidel TWC In Fort Myers | Photo of destruction | Video of surge in Cape Coral | Hit map | Our coverage as it happened | Drone footage from Ft Myers beach | Aerial video of damage from Fox 4 | Radar animation (Brian McNoldy, Univ. of Miami, Rosenstiel School) | NHC Report

Please keep these stats free. Donate to HurricaneCity.

Stat sources:

Text Sources:

"Divine Wind" by Kerry Emanuel
"Florida Hurricanes and Tropical Storms" by John M. Williams and Iver W. Duedall
"Florida's Hurricane History" by Jay Barnes
"Hurricane Almanac" by Bryan Norcross
HurricaneCity.com calculations by Jim Williams
"Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States" by Rick Schwartz
"Hurricane Watch" by Dr. Bob Sheets and Jack Williams
"Inside the Hurricane" by Pete Davies
"Isaac's Storm" by Erik Larson
"Killer 'Cane" by Robert Mykle
"Lunatic Wind" by William Price Fox
Miami Herald newspaper (microfilm)
"Path of Destruction" by John McQuaid and Mark Schleifstein
Sun Sentinel newspaper (microfilm)
"The Major Hurricanes To Affect The Bahamas" by Wayne Neely
"The Ship and the Storm" by Jim Carrier
Plus many more......