Gulf County, Florida Hurricane History
Since 1851, 58 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Gulf County, Florida — about one every 3.0 years. Of those, 24 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Mindy (2021), which passed 15 miles away on 9 September 2021.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
How strong they get
Key facts
- Most recentMindy (2021) — 15 mi away, 9 September 2021
- Strongest stormMichael (2018) — 140 kt (161 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordBecky (1970) — 1.5 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)Unnamed Storm (1877) — 16.7 miles
- Passes within 25 miles28 of 58
- Peak monthAugust — 17 storms (29% of all)
- Most active year1885 — 3 storms
- Most active decade1900s — 6 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi5
- Record span1851–2021
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1850s | 1860s | 1870s | 1880s | 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mindy (2021) | 9 Sep 2021 | 15.1 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Fred (2021) | 16 Aug 2021 | 7.8 mi | TS / TD | 53 kt |
| Michael (2018) | 10 Oct 2018 | 16.8 mi | Cat 5 | 140 kt |
| Alberto (2018) | 28 May 2018 | 37.9 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Claudette (2009) | 16 Aug 2009 | 26.9 mi | TS / TD | 47 kt |
| Fay (2008) | 23 Aug 2008 | 10.6 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Ten (2007) | 21 Sep 2007 | 42.8 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Bonnie (2004) | 12 Aug 2004 | 20.7 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Earl (1998) | 3 Sep 1998 | 30.5 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Erin (1995) | 3 Aug 1995 | 46.4 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Allison (1995) | 5 Jun 1995 | 38.7 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Beryl (1994) | 16 Aug 1994 | 21.2 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1987) | 15 Aug 1987 | 7.7 mi | TS / TD | 15 kt |
| Kate (1985) | 21 Nov 1985 | 12.4 mi | Cat 2 | 85 kt |
| Elena (1985) | 1 Sep 1985 | 46.0 mi | Cat 3 | 110 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1980) | 19 Jul 1980 | 21.4 mi | TS / TD | 22 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1976) | 23 May 1976 | 49.8 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Agnes (1972) | 19 Jun 1972 | 12.0 mi | TS / TD | 58 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1971) | 14 Oct 1971 | 18.4 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Becky (1970) | 22 Jul 1970 | 1.5 mi | TS / TD | 38 kt |
| Alma (1966) | 9 Jun 1966 | 49.7 mi | Cat 1 | 75 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1957) | 8 Jun 1957 | 37.7 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Alice (1953) | 6 Jun 1953 | 37.7 mi | TS / TD | 44 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1947) | 7 Oct 1947 | 6.4 mi | TS / TD | 28 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1941) | 7 Oct 1941 | 40.4 mi | Cat 1 | 80 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1939) | 12 Aug 1939 | 14.7 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1937) | 20 Sep 1937 | 7.7 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1937) | 31 Aug 1937 | 42.5 mi | TS / TD | 36 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1936) | 22 Aug 1936 | 32.0 mi | TS / TD | 29 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1932) | 15 Sep 1932 | 26.6 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1929) | 1 Oct 1929 | 34.7 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1928) | 14 Aug 1928 | 32.5 mi | TS / TD | 44 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1924) | 15 Sep 1924 | 8.7 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1915) | 4 Sep 1915 | 9.8 mi | Cat 1 | 80 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1907) | 28 Sep 1907 | 30.5 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1907) | 29 Jun 1907 | 37.2 mi | TS / TD | 49 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1906) | 12 Jun 1906 | 19.7 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1903) | 13 Sep 1903 | 12.1 mi | Cat 1 | 80 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | 28 Sep 1901 | 40.4 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | 13 Jun 1901 | 40.4 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1899) | 1 Aug 1899 | 22.5 mi | Cat 1 | 77 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1898) | 3 Aug 1898 | 11.5 mi | Cat 1 | 67 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1894) | 9 Oct 1894 | 27.2 mi | Cat 3 | 105 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1886) | 30 Jun 1886 | 11.8 mi | Cat 2 | 85 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1885) | 29 Sep 1885 | 42.1 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1885) | 21 Sep 1885 | 18.6 mi | TS / TD | 48 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1885) | 31 Aug 1885 | 24.8 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1880) | 31 Aug 1880 | 6.3 mi | Cat 1 | 67 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1878) | 10 Oct 1878 | 8.2 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1877) | 3 Oct 1877 | 16.7 mi | Cat 2 | 90 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1875) | 27 Sep 1875 | 28.1 mi | TS / TD | 48 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1873) | 19 Sep 1873 | 41.4 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1871) | 5 Oct 1871 | 27.8 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1868) | 4 Oct 1868 | 8.2 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1867) | 6 Oct 1867 | 31.8 mi | Cat 1 | 80 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1856) | 31 Aug 1856 | 43.1 mi | Cat 2 | 87 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1852) | 9 Oct 1852 | 43.7 mi | Cat 2 | 90 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1851) | 23 Aug 1851 | 30.5 mi | Cat 3 | 100 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
A further 4 systems passed within 50 miles after losing tropical characteristics. These are excluded from the counts above because they were no longer tropical cyclones at their closest approach — but several were highly damaging, so they are listed here.
| Storm | Status | Closest approach | Distance | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fay (2020) | Remnant low | 6 Jul 2020 | 8.2 mi | 30 kt |
| Nestor (2019) | Post-tropical | 19 Oct 2019 | 22.0 mi | 40 kt |
| Five (2010) | Remnant low | 16 Aug 2010 | 21.9 mi | 20 kt |
| Tammy (2005) | Remnant low | 7 Oct 2005 | 36.2 mi | 10 kt |
How Gulf County, Florida compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, Gulf County, Florida ranks #127 — more exposed than 94.2% of them. Within Florida it ranks #54 of 67, against a state average of 63.4 storms per county.
Notable storms
- Cat 5 Michael (2018) passed 17 miles away on 10 October 2018 as a hurricane, reaching 140 kt (161 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 3 Elena (1985) passed 46 miles away on 1 September 1985 as a hurricane, reaching 110 kt (127 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 3 Unnamed Storm (1894) passed 27 miles away on 9 October 1894 as a hurricane, reaching 105 kt (121 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 3 Unnamed Storm (1877) passed 17 miles away on 3 October 1877 as a hurricane, reaching 100 kt (115 mph) while within 50 miles.
54 of the 58 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 3.0 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 58 storms spread over the 175 years from 1851 to 2025. 8 separate years saw more than one storm pass within 50 miles while stretches of a decade or more have passed with none. The longest recorded quiet stretch was 11 years, between 1856 and 1867. It has been 4 years since the last one; 12 of the 48 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
How many hurricanes have hit Gulf County, Florida?
24 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Gulf County, Florida at hurricane strength since 1851. Counting all tropical cyclones — including tropical storms and depressions — the total is 58.
When was the last hurricane in Gulf County, Florida?
Michael (2018), on 10 October 2018, passing 17 miles away — 8 years ago. The most recent tropical cyclone of any strength was Mindy (2021) in 2021.
What was the strongest storm to affect Gulf County, Florida?
Michael (2018), which reached 140 kt (161 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 17 miles.
How often do hurricanes hit Gulf County, Florida?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 3.0 years — 58 storms over the 175 years from 1851 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
Gulf County, Florida borders or sits close to 4 other counties with a published storm record. Franklin County, Florida has 61 on record.