Hurricane Risk for Fort Myers, FL
No tropical storms currently threaten the Fort Myers area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1852, 193 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Fort Myers. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Milton (2024)
Passed within 69 miles of Fort Myers on October 10, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 5 (178 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Unnamed (1935)
Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 25 miles of Fort Myers.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1888)
Passed just 8.0 miles from Fort Myers on August 17, 1888.
When hurricanes hit Fort Myers
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1852:
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 Myers residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milton | 2024 | Cat 5 | 69 mi | Oct 10, 2024 |
| Debby | 2024 | Cat 1 | 153 mi | Aug 04, 2024 |
| Helene | 2024 | Cat 4 | 193 mi | Sep 26, 2024 |
| Idalia | 2023 | Cat 4 | 176 mi | Aug 30, 2023 |
| Ian | 2022 | Cat 5 | 15 mi | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Nicole | 2022 | Cat 1 | 97 mi | Nov 10, 2022 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 82 mi | Jul 07, 2021 |
| Sally | 2020 | Cat 2 | 58 mi | Sep 13, 2020 |
| Eta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 114 mi | Nov 11, 2020 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 147 mi | Aug 02, 2020 |
| Irma | 2017 | Cat 5 | 16 mi | Sep 11, 2017 |
| Matthew | 2016 | Cat 5 | 153 mi | Oct 07, 2016 |
| Hermine | 2016 | Cat 1 | 197 mi | Aug 28, 2016 |
| Arthur | 2014 | Cat 2 | 175 mi | Jul 01, 2014 |
| Isaac | 2012 | Cat 1 | 155 mi | Aug 27, 2012 |
| Andrea | 2007 | Cat 1 | 195 mi | May 11, 2007 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 65 mi | Aug 30, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Fort Myers is in Lee 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.