Why Florida Bears the Brunt of Hurricane Strikes

What is the origin of the term “hurricane”?

The term “hurricane” likely traces its roots back to Spanish explorers who adopted it from the Taino Indian word “huracan,” meaning “evil spirit.” The Taino, in turn, may have borrowed it from the Maya word “Huraken,” denoting the God of Storms or bad weather.

What exactly are hurricanes?

Hurricanes are formidable tropical storms that originate over warm ocean waters, typically beginning as disturbances in the Caribbean or off the coast of Africa. As these storms meander westward, they gather strength and energy by absorbing heat from the warm ocean waters. Evaporation from the sea surface further fuels their intensity.

Warm, moist air converges toward the center of the storm, spiraling upwards—a phenomenon akin to the formation of “dust devils” on hot sandy beaches. Hurricanes rotate counterclockwise around a well-defined “eye,” with the most violent activity concentrated in the eye wall.

By definition, hurricanes are characterized by winds reaching at least 74 miles per hour. They intensify until encountering land or cooler waters. Upon landfall, hurricanes bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges, which can wreak havoc on buildings, vegetation, and coastal areas.

Is it possible to predict hurricanes?

Although efforts to issue storm warnings date back to 1873, official hurricane tracking in the United States began in 1890. Following a particularly devastating storm in 1899, a more robust tracking system was established. Today, the National Hurricane Center, headquartered in Miami, plays a pivotal role during the Atlantic hurricane season, spanning from June 1 to November 30. Specially equipped aircraft are deployed into the eye of hurricanes to assess their strength.

When a hurricane is anticipated within 36 hours, the Hurricane Center issues a Hurricane Watch, indicating ongoing monitoring and predictions about its potential landfall. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay tuned to radio and television for updates. A Hurricane Warning is issued when landfall is expected within 24 hours, signaling possible evacuation orders and the need for immediate preparations.

How are hurricanes named?

Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms have been named from predetermined lists compiled by the National Hurricane Center. Six lists, each starting with a different letter, are rotated annually. The first storm of the season is assigned a name beginning with “A,” followed by subsequent storms in alphabetical order. Names of exceptionally destructive hurricanes are retired.

How are hurricanes categorized?

Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speeds and potential for damage:

Category 1: Winds of 74-95 miles per hour
Category 2: Winds of 96-110 miles per hour
Category 3: Winds of 111-130 miles per hour
Category 4: Winds of 131-155 miles per hour
Category 5: Winds exceeding 155 miles per hour

What are some of Florida’s most devastating hurricanes?

Florida has endured several catastrophic hurricanes throughout its history, including:

1906: A storm that killed one hundred railroad workers in the Keys and caused fatalities in the Pensacola area.
1926: A hurricane with estimated wind gusts of 150 miles per hour, causing widespread destruction in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
1928: Known as the Okeechobee Hurricane, causing extensive damage and resulting in nearly 2,000 deaths when Lake Okeechobee’s dikes breached.
1935: The Florida Keys Labor Day Hurricane, the strongest storm to hit the U.S., causing significant damage and claiming numerous lives.
1960: Hurricane Donna, with winds reaching 150 miles per hour, causing major damage in the Keys.
1992: Hurricane Andrew, the costliest natural disaster in modern U.S. history, causing $30 billion in damages after striking Miami.