With its warm weather, sandy beaches, and copious amounts of outdoor activities, Florida is a great place to live.
Unfortunately, residents of Florida also have to contend with the annual hurricane season.
Over the years, hurricanes in Florida have claimed the lives of thousands of people while causing damage reaching well into the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Here is a list of the five most destructive hurricanes in Florida’s history:
Miami Hurricane of 1926
When adjusted for inflation, the $100 million in damage caused by the Miami Hurricane makes it the second most costly in U.S. history.
In addition to Miami, many other areas throughout southern Florida were devastated by the storm.
Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928
The storm made landfall on September 16th, and by the time it left the area there were more than 2,500 fatalities. The majority of the deaths were the result of drowning from Lake Okeechobee.
Labor Day Hurricane of 1935
In terms of pressure and wind, this hurricane is the strongest to ever make landfall in the contiguous United States.
Sustained winds reached 185 miles per hour, with storm surge topping out at 20 feet. More than 400 lives were taken by the Labor Day hurricane of 1935.
Hurricane Andrew of 1992
When the storm made landfall on August 24th, it was apparent that it would be known as one of the most severe hurricanes the state has ever experienced.
With winds of 165 miles per hour, more than 25,000 homes were destroyed. Furthermore, it’s estimated that the hurricane caused approximately $25 billion in damage.
Hurricane Irma of 2017
Hurricane Irma had maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour when it made landfall on September 10th near Cudjoe Key. Shortly thereafter, it made a second landfall the same day in Marco Island, with 115 mile per hour winds.
To make matters worse, storm surge reached as high as eight feet in many areas.
While there’s no way to stop hurricanes from striking the local area, you can take a variety of steps to protect yourself and your home.
If you’re interested in installing hurricane shutters, contact us to learn more about your options and the process for getting started.
