Hurricane Risk for Fort Lauderdale, FL
No tropical storms currently threaten the Fort Lauderdale area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1853, 201 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Fort Lauderdale. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Alex (2022)
Passed within 76 miles of Fort Lauderdale on June 04, 2022. Peak intensity: TS (69 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Wilma (2005)
Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 54 miles of Fort Lauderdale.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1903)
Passed just 2.3 miles from Fort Lauderdale on September 11, 1903.
When hurricanes hit Fort Lauderdale
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1853:
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
Sign Up FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Fort Lauderdale residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imelda | 2025 | Cat 1 | 189 mi | Sep 29, 2025 |
| Milton | 2024 | Cat 5 | 154 mi | Oct 10, 2024 |
| Nicole | 2022 | Cat 1 | 84 mi | Nov 10, 2022 |
| Ian | 2022 | Cat 5 | 122 mi | Sep 29, 2022 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 178 mi | Jul 06, 2021 |
| Sally | 2020 | Cat 2 | 36 mi | Sep 12, 2020 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 51 mi | Aug 02, 2020 |
| Eta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 92 mi | Nov 09, 2020 |
| Dorian | 2019 | Cat 5 | 114 mi | Sep 03, 2019 |
| Humberto | 2019 | Cat 3 | 199 mi | Sep 15, 2019 |
| Irma | 2017 | Cat 5 | 99 mi | Sep 10, 2017 |
| Matthew | 2016 | Cat 5 | 80 mi | Oct 07, 2016 |
| Hermine | 2016 | Cat 1 | 179 mi | Aug 28, 2016 |
| Arthur | 2014 | Cat 2 | 111 mi | Jul 01, 2014 |
| Isaac | 2012 | Cat 1 | 185 mi | Aug 26, 2012 |
| Sandy | 2012 | Cat 3 | 191 mi | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Irene | 2011 | Cat 3 | 183 mi | Aug 25, 2011 |
| Hanna | 2008 | Cat 1 | 175 mi | Sep 05, 2008 |
| Andrea | 2007 | Cat 1 | 169 mi | May 11, 2007 |
| Noel | 2007 | Cat 1 | 187 mi | Nov 01, 2007 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 54 mi | Aug 30, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Fort Lauderdale is in Broward County — look up your evacuation zone here.
- 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.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.