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Hurricane Risk for Port Charlotte, FL

No tropical storms currently threaten the Port Charlotte 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 1852, 198 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Port Charlotte. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Located on Florida's shallow Gulf Coast estuaries, Port Charlotte is especially vulnerable to storm surge and destructive winds from strong west-approaching hurricanes — Hurricane Ian's 2022 Cat 5 landfall is the recent defining surge and wind event.

By the numbers

Total storms
198
since 1852
Major (Cat 3+)
49
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
122
all categories
County
Charlotte County
Florida

Most recent hurricane

Milton (2024)

Passed within 40 miles of Port Charlotte 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 40 miles of Port Charlotte.

Closest approach ever

Unnamed (1901)

Passed just 6.3 miles from Port Charlotte on August 11, 1901.

When hurricanes hit Port Charlotte

Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1852:

Jan
0
Feb
1
Mar
0
Apr
0
May
3
Jun
23
Jul
15
Aug
43
Sep
51
Oct
50
Nov
11
Dec
1

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 Port Charlotte residents likely remember:

Storm Year Peak Closest Date
Milton 2024 Cat 5 40 mi Oct 10, 2024
Debby 2024 Cat 1 134 mi Aug 04, 2024
Helene 2024 Cat 4 177 mi Sep 27, 2024
Idalia 2023 Cat 4 158 mi Aug 30, 2023
Ian 2022 Cat 5 15 mi Sep 28, 2022
Nicole 2022 Cat 1 78 mi Nov 10, 2022
Elsa 2021 Cat 1 70 mi Jul 07, 2021
Sally 2020 Cat 2 71 mi Sep 13, 2020
Eta 2020 Cat 4 97 mi Nov 11, 2020
Isaias 2020 Cat 1 159 mi Aug 02, 2020
Irma 2017 Cat 5 30 mi Sep 11, 2017
Matthew 2016 Cat 5 158 mi Oct 07, 2016
Arthur 2014 Cat 2 181 mi Jul 01, 2014
Isaac 2012 Cat 1 164 mi Aug 27, 2012
Andrea 2007 Cat 1 192 mi May 11, 2007
Ernesto 2006 Cat 1 76 mi Aug 30, 2006

Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Port Charlotte is in Charlotte 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.