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Gulf Coast Braces: First Hurricane Threat in Years Looms
9 Oct
Summary
- No hurricane has made landfall in the U.S. mainland in two years.
- Louisiana has frequently been a target for destructive hurricanes.
- A Category 5 hurricane struck Florida six years ago in 2018.
The northern Gulf Coast has experienced a notable absence of hurricanes for two years. The last hurricane to make landfall in the continental United States was Hurricane Milton in October 2024, a Category 3 storm that hit Florida. This quiet period follows years of significant hurricane activity, especially for Louisiana. In 2021, Hurricane Ida caused widespread devastation, and the 2020 season saw multiple landfalls including Hurricanes Zeta, Delta, and Laura.
Alabama last experienced a hurricane landfall six years ago, in September 2020, when Hurricane Sally made ashore as a Category 2 storm. Prior to that, the region endured the catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Michael in October 2018, which devastated Mexico Beach, Florida. Isaias is anticipated to cause damage comparable to Category 2 storms, though it possesses the potential for rapid intensification.
