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Hurricane Risk for Hyannis, MA

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

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On this page
  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, 146 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Hyannis. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Hyannis’s exposed Cape Cod harbor and low-lying shoreline make storm surge the dominant threat, with powerful offshore tracks producing coastal flooding and damaging winds — recent near-misses and impacts from storms like Hurricane Jose (2017) and the 2021 storms underscore the town’s vulnerability.

By the numbers

Total storms
146
since 1851
Major (Cat 3+)
40
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
102
all categories
County
Barnstable County
Massachusetts

Most recent hurricane

Ida (2021)

Passed within 36 miles of Hyannis on September 02, 2021. Peak intensity: Cat 4 (150 mph).

Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby

Esther (1961)

Reached Cat 5 (161 mph) at its peak. Passed within 6 miles of Hyannis.

Closest approach ever

Edna (1954)

Passed just 3.2 miles from Hyannis on September 11, 1954.

When hurricanes hit Hyannis

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
10
Aug
34
Sep
54
Oct
26
Nov
4
Dec
0

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 Hyannis residents likely remember:

Storm Year Peak Closest Date
Ida 2021 Cat 4 36 mi Sep 02, 2021
Elsa 2021 Cat 1 43 mi Jul 09, 2021
Henri 2021 Cat 1 50 mi Aug 24, 2021
Zeta 2020 Cat 3 166 mi Oct 30, 2020
Dorian 2019 Cat 5 186 mi Sep 07, 2019
Florence 2018 Cat 4 159 mi Sep 18, 2018
Michael 2018 Cat 5 177 mi Oct 12, 2018
Jose 2017 Cat 4 145 mi Sep 23, 2017
Nate 2017 Cat 1 196 mi Oct 10, 2017
Hermine 2016 Cat 1 16 mi Sep 08, 2016
Arthur 2014 Cat 2 105 mi Jul 05, 2014
Irene 2011 Cat 3 155 mi Aug 28, 2011
Earl 2010 Cat 4 119 mi Sep 04, 2010
Bill 2009 Cat 4 190 mi Aug 23, 2009
Hanna 2008 Cat 1 74 mi Sep 07, 2008
Kyle 2008 Cat 1 186 mi Sep 28, 2008
Noel 2007 Cat 1 115 mi Nov 04, 2007

Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Hyannis is in Barnstable 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.