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Hurricane Risk for Gainesville, FL

No tropical storms currently threaten the Gainesville area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.

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On this page
  1. By the numbers
  2. Most recent hurricane
  3. Strongest ever
  4. Closest approach
  5. When hurricanes hit
  6. Recent notable storms
  7. Preparedness

Since 1852, 218 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Gainesville. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Well inland from the Gulf, Gainesville is far more threatened by extreme rainfall and inland freshwater flooding from slow-moving tropical systems than by storm surge, with recent catastrophic inland impacts from storms like Ian (2022) and Idalia (2023) producing heavy rain and river flooding across the region.

By the numbers

Total storms
218
since 1852
Major (Cat 3+)
48
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
129
all categories
County
Alachua County
Florida

Most recent hurricane

Debby (2024)

Passed within 66 miles of Gainesville on August 05, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 1 (80 mph).

The full risk breakdown for Gainesville

See the strongest and closest hurricanes ever to pass nearby, the month-by-month climatology of when storms hit Gainesville, the notable storms of the last 20 years, and any active-storm threat — plus free location-based alerts.

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Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Gainesville is in Alachua County — look up your evacuation zone here.
  2. Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
  3. Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
  4. Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
  5. Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.