Hurricane Risk for Tampa, FL
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Since 1852, 203 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Tampa. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Milton (2024)
Passed within 39 miles of Tampa 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 46 miles of Tampa.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1899)
Passed just 4.3 miles from Tampa on October 05, 1899.
When hurricanes hit Tampa
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 Tampa residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milton | 2024 | Cat 5 | 39 mi | Oct 10, 2024 |
| Debby | 2024 | Cat 1 | 103 mi | Aug 05, 2024 |
| Helene | 2024 | Cat 4 | 124 mi | Sep 27, 2024 |
| Idalia | 2023 | Cat 4 | 127 mi | Aug 30, 2023 |
| Nicole | 2022 | Cat 1 | 52 mi | Nov 10, 2022 |
| Ian | 2022 | Cat 5 | 70 mi | Sep 29, 2022 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 64 mi | Jul 07, 2021 |
| Eta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 64 mi | Nov 12, 2020 |
| Sally | 2020 | Cat 2 | 108 mi | Sep 13, 2020 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 169 mi | Aug 03, 2020 |
| Irma | 2017 | Cat 5 | 23 mi | Sep 11, 2017 |
| Matthew | 2016 | Cat 5 | 147 mi | Oct 07, 2016 |
| Hermine | 2016 | Cat 1 | 160 mi | Sep 02, 2016 |
| Arthur | 2014 | Cat 2 | 194 mi | Jul 01, 2014 |
| Andrea | 2007 | Cat 1 | 178 mi | May 11, 2007 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 108 mi | Aug 31, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Tampa is in Hillsborough 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.