As avid surfers and skimmers in Florida, hurricane season is something we eagerly anticipate for the chance of scoring great swells after what always feels like the longest summer flat spell. But this year, we got more than we bargained for when two major hurricanes—Helen and Milton—made landfall within 13 days of each other. This will be a season we won’t forget for many years to come.
Hurricane Helen reached Category 4 status with winds of up to 140 miles per hour before making landfall in Perry, Florida. Tragically, Helen will be remembered as the deadliest hurricane to strike the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina (2005), which claimed over 1,200 lives. Helen was the most powerful hurricane to hit this region of Florida since records began in 1851. And she didn’t stop at the coast—Helen carved a destructive path through Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, devastating communities in her wake.
Less than a week later, Hurricane Milton set its sights on Florida. According to the National Hurricane Center, Milton underwent the third-fastest rapid intensification ever recorded, behind only Hurricane Wilma (2005) and Hurricane Felix (2007). Rapid intensification occurs when a hurricane’s winds increase by at least 35 mph within 24 hours. On Sunday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m., Milton was a Category 1 hurricane with winds between 75 and 90 mph. By the same time on Monday, Oct. 7, it had exploded into a Category 5 storm, with winds reaching 175 mph at peak intensity. Although the storm weakened to a Category 3, with winds of 120 mph, it still made a devastating landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, on Oct. 9.
Already-ravaged Gulf Coast communities bore the brunt of this second storm. The National Weather Service issued 126 tornado warnings across Florida on Oct. 9, setting a new state record, with 45 tornado reports received during the storm. Indian River County, home to Shore lb., was hit especially hard by a deadly EF3 tornado that destroyed 51 homes and damaged over 280 more—before Milton even made landfall.
On the bright side, some waves were all-time. Thanks to Hurricane Helen, our buddy Kale Troha scored some Gulf Coast gold in Orange Beach, Alabama, The Goods media chased waves in the panhandle to bring you some amazing pictures as well. When Milton pushed off into the Atlantic as a Category 1 hurricane, it gifted the Treasure Coast with plenty of gems.
This season reminded us that every storm can be a Beast yet has Beauty within. As we come together to rebuild our state, it’s safe to say that no one will be in a hurry for the 2025 hurricane season to arrive.
Maxmium Respect
- Chris