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Hurricane Risk for Vero Beach, FL

No tropical storms currently threaten the Vero Beach 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, 238 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Vero Beach. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Low-lying barrier island and coastal plain terrain makes storm surge the primary hazard for Vero Beach, with powerful hurricanes including Hurricane Ian (2019/2022 East Coast impacts) and multiple Category 5s in recent decades showing how intense winds and surge can arrive from storms brushing the coast.

By the numbers

Total storms
238
since 1852
Major (Cat 3+)
60
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
136
all categories
County
Indian River County
Florida

Most recent hurricane

Milton (2024)

Passed within 64 miles of Vero Beach on October 10, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 5 (178 mph).

Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby

Wilma (2005)

Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 101 miles of Vero Beach.

Closest approach ever

Erin (1995)

Passed just 4.6 miles from Vero Beach on August 02, 1995.

When hurricanes hit Vero Beach

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
7
Jun
22
Jul
18
Aug
52
Sep
63
Oct
63
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.

Prep your supplies before the storm is named

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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 Vero Beach residents likely remember:

Storm Year Peak Closest Date
Imelda 2025 Cat 1 191 mi Sep 30, 2025
Milton 2024 Cat 5 64 mi Oct 10, 2024
Nicole 2022 Cat 1 7 mi Nov 10, 2022
Ian 2022 Cat 5 43 mi Sep 29, 2022
Elsa 2021 Cat 1 186 mi Jul 07, 2021
Isaias 2020 Cat 1 52 mi Aug 02, 2020
Sally 2020 Cat 2 141 mi Sep 12, 2020
Eta 2020 Cat 4 186 mi Nov 12, 2020
Dorian 2019 Cat 5 103 mi Sep 04, 2019
Humberto 2019 Cat 3 166 mi Sep 15, 2019
Irma 2017 Cat 5 98 mi Sep 11, 2017
Matthew 2016 Cat 5 43 mi Oct 07, 2016
Arthur 2014 Cat 2 68 mi Jul 01, 2014
Irene 2011 Cat 3 190 mi Aug 26, 2011
Hanna 2008 Cat 1 123 mi Sep 05, 2008
Andrea 2007 Cat 1 81 mi May 11, 2007
Ernesto 2006 Cat 1 37 mi Aug 31, 2006

Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Vero Beach is in Indian River 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.