The Heart of Hurricane Season
When September rolls around, many Americans start thinking about fall leaves, pumpkin spice, and football season. But along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, September means something else entirely — we’re in the absolute peak of hurricane season.
From June through November, tropical storms and hurricanes can form in the Atlantic, but historical data shows September is the month when storms are most frequent and most powerful. Warm ocean waters, atmospheric patterns, and low wind shear all combine to make it a perfect recipe for storm development.
The Atlantic basin has seen storms with wind speeds over 185 mph — like Hurricane Irma (2017) and the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. The Bermuda High — a semi-permanent area of high pressure — often dictates the path of Atlantic hurricanes toward the U.S. or away into the ocean. Hurricane Katrina (2005) remains the costliest U.S. hurricane ever.
Eastern Pacific hurricanes often form and move west into open water, but some curve toward Mexico and Central America, causing flooding and landslides. Hurricane Patricia (2015) had 215 mph winds, the highest ever recorded in a hurricane. Storms can dissipate rapidly after hitting cooler waters off Baja California.
5 Fun (and Surprising) Facts About Hurricanes
- They rotate differently depending on where they form – Counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Hurricane names get retired if a storm is particularly deadly or costly — no one will ever see “Katrina” or “Sandy” on the storm list again.
- The eye of a hurricane is calm and sometimes sunny, while the eyewall just outside is the most dangerous part.
- Hurricanes can cause snow — in rare cases, they interact with cold air masses, creating tropical-origin snowstorms.
- One hurricane can release more energy in a day than all the electrical power used by the world in the same time period.
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Top 10 Most Devastating Hurricanes in U.S. History
(Ranked by estimated damage and death toll, adjusted for modern costs where possible)
- Hurricane Katrina (2005)
$193 billion in damages, over 1,800 deaths. - Hurricane Harvey (2017)
$125 billion in damages, record-breaking rainfall. - Hurricane Maria (2017)
$101 billion in damages, devastation in Puerto Rico. - Hurricane Sandy (2012)
$81 billion in damages, massive impact on the Northeast. - Hurricane Irma (2017)
$77 billion in damages, winds up to 185 mph. - Hurricane Andrew (1992)
$55 billion in damages, reshaped South Florida building codes. - Hurricane Ike (2008)
$38 billion in damages, widespread coastal destruction. - Hurricane Ivan (2004)
$27 billion in damages, massive tornado outbreak. - Hurricane Michael (2018)
$25 billion in damages, Category 5 at landfall in Florida Panhandle. - Labor Day Hurricane (1935)
$1.5 billion (adjusted), still the most intense U.S. landfall.
🌊 The Bottom Line
September is a month of beauty and danger. While we enjoy cooler nights and fall traditions, for millions along the coast it’s a time to stay alert, prepare emergency plans, and respect the power of nature.
Stay safe, stay prepared — and remember, it only takes one storm to change everything.
