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Hurricane Risk for Atlantic City, NJ

No tropical storms currently threaten the Atlantic City area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.

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  1. By the numbers
  2. Most recent hurricane
  3. Strongest ever
  4. Closest approach
  5. When hurricanes hit
  6. Recent notable storms
  7. Preparedness

Since 1851, 141 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Atlantic City. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Barrier-island location and low elevations along a developed beachfront make storm surge the dominant threat to Atlantic City, with Hurricane Irene’s 2011 near-miss (≈3 miles offshore) and frequent close approaches demonstrating how even storms that skirt the coast can produce major surge and coastal flooding.

By the numbers

Total storms
141
since 1851
Major (Cat 3+)
41
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
96
all categories
County
Atlantic County
New Jersey

Most recent hurricane

Chantal (2025)

Passed within 129 miles of Atlantic City on July 07, 2025. Peak intensity: TS (57 mph).

Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby

Unnamed (1935)

Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 134 miles of Atlantic City.

Closest approach ever

Irene (2011)

Passed just 2.9 miles from Atlantic City on August 28, 2011.

When hurricanes hit Atlantic City

Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1851:

Jan
0
Feb
1
Mar
0
Apr
0
May
3
Jun
14
Jul
12
Aug
32
Sep
53
Oct
22
Nov
3
Dec
1

Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.

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Recent notable storms (last 20 years)

Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Atlantic City residents likely remember:

Storm Year Peak Closest Date
Ida 2021 Cat 4 69 mi Sep 02, 2021
Elsa 2021 Cat 1 88 mi Jul 09, 2021
Henri 2021 Cat 1 151 mi Aug 23, 2021
Isaias 2020 Cat 1 112 mi Aug 04, 2020
Zeta 2020 Cat 3 146 mi Oct 30, 2020
Michael 2018 Cat 5 146 mi Oct 12, 2018
Florence 2018 Cat 4 183 mi Sep 18, 2018
Hermine 2016 Cat 1 104 mi Sep 07, 2016
Arthur 2014 Cat 2 128 mi Jul 04, 2014
Sandy 2012 Cat 3 3 mi Oct 29, 2012
Irene 2011 Cat 3 3 mi Aug 28, 2011
Earl 2010 Cat 4 172 mi Sep 03, 2010
Hanna 2008 Cat 1 44 mi Sep 07, 2008
Ernesto 2006 Cat 1 126 mi Sep 02, 2006

Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Atlantic City is in Atlantic County — look up your evacuation zone here.
  2. Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
  3. Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
  4. Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
  5. Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.