The era of the Gulf: Ian joins list of 5 other destructive hurricanes in recent years
16 million Americans live along the Gulf Coast, and states like Texas, Louisiana and Florida have not been spared.
Watch: Hurricane Ian's journey from birth to monster Category 4 storm
Ian Oliver shows Hurricane Ian's journey from tropical depression to monster Category 4 hurricane
Hurricane Ian was a destructive Category 4 storm when it made landfall along Southwest Florida, but the storm is not in rare company - there have been five other significant hurricanes that have caused similar scenes of destruction over the last few years.
Since 2017, six major storms of either Category 4 or 5 strength have made landfall along the Gulf Coast. This means that winds were at least 130 mph and had a pressure of around 940 millibars or less.
The FOX Forecast Center says a hoist of atmospheric conditions must be in play for a hurricane to strengthen to one of these extreme levels.
HURRICANE IAN TIES 4TH STRONGEST STORM TO MAKE LANDFALL IN FLORIDA
Saffir-Simpson Scale
(FOX Weather)
A common theme among these destructive storms is that plenty of warm water in the Gulf of Mexico was available, and heat extended to significant depths.
Water temperatures were 1 -3° F above the average, which makes the Gulf feel more like a bathtub with sea surface temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. Typically, a tropical cyclone needs water temperatures of at least 79° F to organize and strengthen.
Aside from the warm water, the Gulf of Mexico is one of the few areas of the Atlantic basin that is climatologically favored for tropical activity during the entire 6-month season.
The Gulf’s favorability provides plenty of opportunities each year for a significant strike.
The Gulf of Mexico also holds one of the rare distinctions where if a cyclone makes it into the waterbody, it has to impact land due to the natural topography. There are few ways to escape without affecting Mexico or the United States.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 16 million residents live along the coastline that stretches from Texas to Florida.
HOW MANY CATEGORY 5 HURRICANES HAVE MADE LANDFALL IN THE US?
Category 4 and 5 strikes on the US Gulf Coast
Hurricane Ian became the sixth significant hurricane to strike the US Gulf Coast since 2017
Here’s a summary of the significant hurricanes.
- Hurricane Ian (2022)Landfall location: Southwest Florida; Damage toll: TBD
- Hurricane Ida (2021) Landfall location: Southeast Louisiana; Damage toll: $81 billion (adjusted to 2022-dollar value)
- Hurricane Laura (2020) Landfall location: Southwest Louisiana; Damage toll: $20 billion (adjusted to 2022-dollar value)
- Hurricane Michael (2018)Landfall location: Florida Panhandle; Damage toll: $30 billion (adjusted to 2022-dollar value)
- Hurricane Irma (2017) Landfall location: Southwest Florida; Damage toll: $93 billion (adjusted to 2022-dollar value)
- Hurricane Harvey (2017)Landfall location: Southeast Texas; Damage toll: $151 billion (adjusted to 2022-dollar value)
![Hurricane Ian damage in Port Charlotte Florida]()
Image 1 of 11A home in Port Charlotte, Florida, that sustained significant damage during Hurricane Ian is seen Sept. 29, 2022. ( )
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Image 2 of 11Boats are left stranded on the shore in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. (JOSEPH AGCAOILI/AFP)
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Image 3 of 11Boats are left stranded on the shore in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. (JOSEPH AGCAOILI/AFP)
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Image 4 of 11A man takes photos of boats damaged by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. (GIORGIO VIERA/AFP)
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Image 5 of 11A boat is left stranded on the shore in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. (GIORGIO VIERA/AFP)
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Image 6 of 11Boat are partially submerged at a marina in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. (GIORGIO VIERA/AFP)
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Image 7 of 11Water rescues continue throughout Orange County. Florida, on Thursday. (Orange County Fire Rescue)
![Planes flipped tornado Hurricane Ian]()
Image 8 of 11Tornadoes were said to have flipped this plane as Hurricane Ian neared Florida. (Photos courtesy Tom Pandas/TourHelicopter.com)
![ams Into West Coast Of Florida]()
Image 9 of 11SARASOTA, FL - SEPTEMBER 28: Wind gusts blow across Sarasota Bay as Hurricane Ian churns to the south on September 28, 2022 in Sarasota, Florida. The storm made a U.S. landfall at Cayo Costa, Florida this afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane with wind speeds over 140 miles per hour in some areas. (Sean Rayford)
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Image 10 of 11Storm surge flooded the fire station. (Naples Fire-Rescue)
![The flooded streets of Fort Myers.]()
Image 11 of 11The flooded streets of Fort Myers. (Robert Ray)
