Hurricane Risk for Ponce, PR
No tropical storms currently threaten the Ponce area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1851, 144 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Ponce. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Ernesto (2024)
Passed within 78 miles of Ponce on August 14, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 2 (98 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Dorian (2019)
Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 100 miles of Ponce.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1878)
Passed just 8.1 miles from Ponce on November 29, 1878.
When hurricanes hit Ponce
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1851:
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 Ponce residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin | 2025 | Cat 5 | 166 mi | Aug 17, 2025 |
| Ernesto | 2024 | Cat 2 | 78 mi | Aug 14, 2024 |
| Fiona | 2022 | Cat 4 | 26 mi | Sep 18, 2022 |
| Earl | 2022 | Cat 2 | 172 mi | Sep 04, 2022 |
| Nicole | 2022 | Cat 1 | 179 mi | Nov 06, 2022 |
| Grace | 2021 | Cat 3 | 71 mi | Aug 15, 2021 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 182 mi | Jul 03, 2021 |
| Laura | 2020 | Cat 4 | 50 mi | Aug 22, 2020 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 100 mi | Jul 30, 2020 |
| Dorian | 2019 | Cat 5 | 100 mi | Aug 29, 2019 |
| Beryl | 2018 | Cat 1 | 72 mi | Jul 09, 2018 |
| Isaac | 2018 | Cat 1 | 196 mi | Sep 14, 2018 |
| Maria | 2017 | Cat 5 | 28 mi | Sep 20, 2017 |
| Irma | 2017 | Cat 5 | 86 mi | Sep 07, 2017 |
| Bertha | 2014 | Cat 1 | 68 mi | Aug 02, 2014 |
| Gonzalo | 2014 | Cat 4 | 175 mi | Oct 14, 2014 |
| Isaac | 2012 | Cat 1 | 167 mi | Aug 23, 2012 |
| Irene | 2011 | Cat 3 | 46 mi | Aug 22, 2011 |
| Maria | 2011 | Cat 1 | 161 mi | Sep 12, 2011 |
| Earl | 2010 | Cat 4 | 138 mi | Aug 31, 2010 |
| Omar | 2008 | Cat 4 | 129 mi | Oct 16, 2008 |
| Noel | 2007 | Cat 1 | 57 mi | Oct 26, 2007 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Ponce is in Ponce 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.