Hurricane Risk for Gainesville, FL
No tropical storms currently threaten the Gainesville area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1852, 218 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Gainesville. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Debby (2024)
Passed within 66 miles of Gainesville on August 05, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 1 (80 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Unnamed (1935)
Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 66 miles of Gainesville.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1964)
Passed just 3.2 miles from Gainesville on June 06, 1964.
When hurricanes hit Gainesville
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 Gainesville residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debby | 2024 | Cat 1 | 66 mi | Aug 05, 2024 |
| Helene | 2024 | Cat 4 | 87 mi | Sep 27, 2024 |
| Milton | 2024 | Cat 5 | 123 mi | Oct 10, 2024 |
| Idalia | 2023 | Cat 4 | 75 mi | Aug 30, 2023 |
| Nicole | 2022 | Cat 1 | 52 mi | Nov 10, 2022 |
| Ian | 2022 | Cat 5 | 134 mi | Sep 29, 2022 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 72 mi | Jul 07, 2021 |
| Eta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 12 mi | Nov 12, 2020 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 142 mi | Aug 03, 2020 |
| Dorian | 2019 | Cat 5 | 160 mi | Sep 04, 2019 |
| Michael | 2018 | Cat 5 | 183 mi | Oct 11, 2018 |
| Irma | 2017 | Cat 5 | 24 mi | Sep 11, 2017 |
| Matthew | 2016 | Cat 5 | 97 mi | Oct 07, 2016 |
| Hermine | 2016 | Cat 1 | 111 mi | Sep 02, 2016 |
| Arthur | 2014 | Cat 2 | 189 mi | Jul 03, 2014 |
| Andrea | 2007 | Cat 1 | 148 mi | May 10, 2007 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 116 mi | Aug 31, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Gainesville is in Alachua 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.