Hurricane Risk for Sarasota, FL
No tropical storms currently threaten the Sarasota area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
Get free alerts for SarasotaOn this page
Since 1852, 204 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Sarasota. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Milton (2024)
Passed within 6 miles of Sarasota 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 23 miles of Sarasota.
Closest approach ever
Keith (1988)
Passed just 4.5 miles from Sarasota on November 23, 1988.
When hurricanes hit Sarasota
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 Sarasota residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milton | 2024 | Cat 5 | 6 mi | Oct 10, 2024 |
| Debby | 2024 | Cat 1 | 108 mi | Aug 04, 2024 |
| Helene | 2024 | Cat 4 | 143 mi | Sep 27, 2024 |
| Idalia | 2023 | Cat 4 | 136 mi | Aug 30, 2023 |
| Ian | 2022 | Cat 5 | 48 mi | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Nicole | 2022 | Cat 1 | 74 mi | Nov 10, 2022 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 65 mi | Jul 07, 2021 |
| Eta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 71 mi | Nov 12, 2020 |
| Sally | 2020 | Cat 2 | 74 mi | Sep 13, 2020 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 180 mi | Aug 02, 2020 |
| Irma | 2017 | Cat 5 | 63 mi | Sep 11, 2017 |
| Matthew | 2016 | Cat 5 | 174 mi | Oct 07, 2016 |
| Hermine | 2016 | Cat 1 | 180 mi | Sep 02, 2016 |
| Arthur | 2014 | Cat 2 | 200 mi | Jul 01, 2014 |
| Isaac | 2012 | Cat 1 | 174 mi | Aug 27, 2012 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 103 mi | Aug 30, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Sarasota is in Sarasota 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.