JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Atlantic hurricane season officially ended Saturday, and for Floridians, it was one for the history books.
This season was unique for several reasons: it featured the earliest-ever Category 5 hurricane, multiple storms that reshaped Florida’s landscape, and an unusually intense late-season surge.
Here’s a look back at what made the season stand out.
Beryl: A Category 5 record-setter
Hurricane Beryl didn’t just make history, it rewrote it.
On July 1, Beryl roared to life in the Caribbean, becoming the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic.
With winds reaching an astonishing 165 mph, it set the tone for an intense season. By July 8, Beryl made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane, knocking out power for nearly 3 million customers. In Houston, many families had to wait over a week for electricity to return.
This storm surprised meteorologists because Category 5 hurricanes are extremely rare so early in the season. Typically, waters aren’t warm enough in June and early July to fuel such powerful storms. However, a combination of exceptionally warm ocean temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions allowed Beryl to achieve this feat.
Helene: A monster of rain and surge
For Florida, Hurricane Helene was the most destructive storm of the season.
On Sept. 26, Helene struck the Sunshine State as a Category 4 hurricane, with 7 feet of storm surge tearing through neighborhoods that were never in the path. The adjacent surge working up the west coast caused flooding along most barrier islands.
It also caused catastrophic flooding in the southern Appalachians, washing away buildings, roads, and entire hillsides. Some small mountain towns were so severely damaged that their landscapes were permanently altered. Tragically, over 200 lives were lost, making Helene the second-deadliest U.S. hurricane since Katrina in 2005.
Milton: A quick but powerful strike
As Floridians were still recovering from Helene, Hurricane Milton arrived just two weeks later.
Making landfall in Siesta Key as a Category 3 hurricane, Milton packed 100+ mph winds in St. Petersburg. What made Milton worse than Helene for Florida was the sheer amount of rain it produced. Over 17 inches fell in parts of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties across west Florida.
Milton’s quick formation and rapid intensification were another hallmark of the 2024 season as it developed in the western Gulf.
A season for the record books
The 2024 hurricane season wasn’t just busy — it was extraordinary.
With 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes, it far exceeded the averages of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
What made this season even more shocking was the “quiet” start.
For weeks, the Atlantic was calm, leading some to believe the season would be mild. Then, in August, activity exploded. Scientists point to unusually warm ocean temperatures for the higher numbers. Record warm ocean temperatures persisted throughout the season.