5 of the most destructive October hurricanes to make US landfall
October has a proven track record of packing a punch before hurricane season concludes.
Wilma was designated as a Category 5 Hurricane on Oct. 19 after forming in the Central Carribean Sea as the 24th tropical depression of the 2005 Hurricane Season, which remains one of the most active on record. Hurricane Hunters showcase aircraft flown into storms ahead of hurricane season 2025
Captain Nate Kahn, commanding officer of the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the aircraft used to fly into hurricanes.
Hurricane season annually keeps millions on their toes from June to November. But while the climatological peak of hurricane season has passed by October, residents living along the East and Gulf coasts of the U.S. shouldn't let their guard down. While historically, the month of October produces storms less frequently than August and September, that doesn't mean October storms don't pack a punch.
October Historical Landfalls
Here are 5 of the worst October hurricanes on record:
HURRICANE MITCH – October 1998
Hurricane Mitch began as a Tropical Storm over the Carribean Sea on Oct. 22, 1998 and rapidly strengthened into a monster Category 5 hurricane just four days later.
Damage from Hurricane Michael is seen in Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, a little more than a month after landfall.
(Aaron Barker / FOX Weather)
Hurricane Michael was responsible for the deaths of 16 and caused over $25 billion in damage in the United States alone, NOAA.
But long after Wilma passed, the hardship continued as it took nearly two weeks to restore power for most of the areas affected due to the severity of the damaged infrastructure.
WHY SUPERSTORM SANDY WAS SO DESTRUCTIVE IN THE NORTHEAST?
HURRICANE MILTON – October 2024
Hurricane Milton made history in becoming one of the strongest hurricanes on record in the Atlantic Basin by lowest measured atmospheric pressure as it roared to Category 5 strength in the Gulf of America with peak winds estimated at 180 mph.
Tropicana Field roof shredded by Milton's winds
The roof of Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, was shredded after Hurricane Milton tore through St. Petersburg, Florida, on Wednesday evening.