Top 11 Worst Hurricanes to Hit South Florida - Sun Sentinel

[gatorcane]

1926 - Miami
The blow that broke the boom
The 1926 storm was described by the U.S. Weather Bureau in Miami as "probably the most destructive hurricane ever to strike the United States." It hit Fort Lauderdale, Dania, Hollywood, Hallandale and Miami. The death toll is estimated to be from 325 to perhaps as many as 800. No storm in previous history had done as much property damage.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weathe ... orygallery

[wxman57]

1926 - Miami
The blow that broke the boom
The 1926 storm was described by the U.S. Weather Bureau in Miami as "probably the most destructive hurricane ever to strike the United States." It hit Fort Lauderdale, Dania, Hollywood, Hallandale and Miami. The death toll is estimated to be from 325 to perhaps as many as 800. No storm in previous history had done as much property damage.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weathe ... orygallery

And in 1926, there was very little property to damage in that area compared to today.

[shah8]

no mention of Charlie, or the 1947/9 storm, or that 60s tampa bay storm...

Jeanne and Frances shouldn't on this list, and while Ivan hit alabama, it sure as hell ROCKED the panhandle's world...

[JtSmarts]

I think the article was mostly referring to storms that had effected S. Florida, which is why Charlie, Ivan and the others weren't mentioned.

[Cyclenall]

I think the article was mostly referring to storms that had effected S. Florida, which is why Charlie, Ivan and the others weren't mentioned.

Hurricane Charley in 2004 effected South Flordia.

[MiamiensisWx]

I believe the article is in reference to the south Florida metropolitan area and southeast Florida counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach) and storms that have affected that vicinity. This region is often considered the mean south Florida region. That is the main reason Charley isn't included in the listings but Frances, Jeanne, Wilma, and others that have directly hit or impacted the region of southeast Florida are instead subsequently mentioned.

[Derek Ortt]

Charley's size is the only reason why the SF metro areas and the keys did not get walloped. It also spared Orlando from a likely major hurricane by allowing Charley to be sheared apart in the 4 hours after landfall and its impact into Orlando

[gatorcane]

Charley's size is the only reason why the SF metro areas and the keys did not get walloped. It also spared Orlando from a likely major hurricane by allowing Charley to be sheared apart in the 4 hours after landfall and its impact into Orlando

Derek you bring up a good point. If a Katrina-sized hurricane took the path of Charley South Florida metros would have been walloped. So here in South Florida we can't take major hurricanes approaching the SW Coast of Florida lightly.

[Ptarmigan]

Charley's size is the only reason why the SF metro areas and the keys did not get walloped. It also spared Orlando from a likely major hurricane by allowing Charley to be sheared apart in the 4 hours after landfall and its impact into Orlando

I believe that sheering was caused by a cool front that was heading towards Florida and also the fact is, that it was a small hurricane and they tend to weaken faster over land.

[dolebot_Broward_NW]

Hurricane Charley in 2004 effected South Flordia.

It's odd I know... The SW coast of Florida isn't considered by most to be "south florida". South Florida for most of us is Dade, Monroe, Broward, and usually Palm Beach counties.

[Recurve]

Charley's size is the only reason why the SF metro areas and the keys did not get walloped. It also spared Orlando from a likely major hurricane by allowing Charley to be sheared apart in the 4 hours after landfall and its impact into Orlando

Derek you bring up a good point. If a Katrina-sized hurricane took the path of Charley South Florida metros would have been walloped. So here in South Florida we can't take major hurricanes approaching the SW Coast of Florida lightly.

We "watched" Charley swing by with no effect on weather in the Upper Keys. Beautiful weather, no wind or wave action. Wilma took a similar track, just a little closer, and walloped the Upper Keys with bayside surge.

[Patrick99]

I'd put Jeanne on that list but not Frances. Perhaps King in 1950, from all accounts, should be on that list.

[Scorpion]

Honestly, most of south Florida hasn't really gotten any significant damage from a hurricane in 60 years. Andrew effected just a tiny part.

[gatorcane]

Honestly, most of south Florida hasn't really gotten any significant damage from a hurricane in 60 years. Andrew effected just a tiny part.

agreed Wilma did the most damage relatively speaking but Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade (except the southern Miami-Dade) have been largely spared from the wrath of 2004-2005 and its been a *long* time since anything significant has hit. I am sure it has lulled some into a false sense of security here.