Florida knows hurricanes, it just hasn’t met many lately. The state has withstood more direct hurricane strikes than any other state, and it is often grazed by storms that end up making landfall elsewhere. However, until Hermine made landfall in September, Florida had gone more than a decade without a direct hit from a major storm. This lengthy lull came after two hyperactive hurricane seasons in 2004 and 2005, which together produced more than 40 named storms and 13 major hurricanes. The 2005 season produced 28 named storms, the most since 1851 and eight more than the second busiest season of 1933. This hurricane season has proved a rude awakening from that decade-long lull. Hurricane Matthew, the 13th named storm of the season, has pummeled Florida’s east coast and is projected to batter the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Forecasts even showed it hooking a U-turn and heading to every storm's landmass of choice: Florida.

A look back at 100 years of storms Saffir-Simpson scale 3 4 5 Storm 1 2 Line thickness is wind speed Wind speed (mph) 74 95 110 130 156 Saffir-Simpson scale 3 4 5 Storm 1 2 Line thickness is wind speed Wind speed (mph) 74 95 110 130 156 Saffir-Simpson scale 3 4 5 Storm 1 2 Line thickness is wind speed 74 95 110 130 156 Wind speed (mph)

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 N.C. N.C. Regained strength and pummeled the Northeast Arthur Irene Gulf of Mexico Sandy Joaquin 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Made landfall in Nova Scotia Earl New Orleans Gustav Ida Ike CUBA 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 N.C. Katrina Isabel Miss. Ala. Ala. Miss. La. La. La. Ivan New Orleans Dennis Jeanne Wilma Fla. Fla. Lili Frances Michelle Rita Isidore Charley CUBA CUBA CUBA 2015 2014 2013 N.C. Arthur Gulf of Mexico Joaquin 2012 2011 2010 N.C. Regained strength and pummeled the Northeast Made landfall in Nova Scotia Irene Earl Sandy 2009 2008 2007 New Orleans Gustav Ida Ike CUBA 2005 2004 2006 Katrina Miss. Ala. Ala. Miss. La. La. Ivan Dennis Jeanne Wilma Fla. Fla. Frances Rita Charley CUBA 2003 2002 2001 N.C. Isabel La. New Orleans Lili Michelle Isidore CUBA CUBA 2015 2014 Arthur Joaquin 2013 2012 Sandy 2011 2010 Earl Irene 2009 2008 Gustav Ida Ike 2007 2006 2005 2004 Katrina Ivan Dennis Jeanne Wilma Frances Rita Charley 2003 2002 Isabel Lili Isidore 2001 Michelle

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew rampaged through South Florida, causing 65 deaths and more than $26 billion in damage. Destroying more than 28,000 homes and damaging at least 107,000 others, the storm would be the costliest natural disaster in the United States until Katrina in 2005.

2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 N.C. N.C. N.C. S.C. S.C. S.C. Fran New Orleans Floyd and Dennis hit the Mid-Atlantic back-to-back, causing heavy flooding. Bonnie Dennis Earl Floyd Georges Lili CUBA CUBA 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 Ala. Bob Emily Miss. La. Erin Fla. Fla. One of the most devastating hurricanes to date Opal Andrew 2000 1999 1998 N.C. N.C. S.C. S.C. New Orleans Floyd and Dennis hit the Mid-Atlantic back-to-back, causing heavy flooding. Bonnie Dennis Earl Floyd Georges CUBA 1997 1996 1995 N.C. Ala. S.C. Fran Miss. Erin Fla. Opal Lili CUBA 1994 1993 1992 Emily La. Fla. One of the most devastating hurricanes to date Andrew 1991 Bob 2000 1999 Dennis Floyd 1998 1997 Bonnie Earl Georges 1996 1995 Fran Erin Opal Lili 1994 1993 Emily 1992 1991 Bob Andrew

In the 1980s, only a handful of storms made landfall in Florida. However, there was a close call in 1985 when a cold front forced Hurricane Elena to veer toward the state. Within hours, weather patterns returned the storm to its original course, which led it to make landfall in Biloxi, Miss.

1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 N.C. S.C. Hugo Gilbert 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 N.C. Gloria S.C. Kate Ala. Miss. La. Elena Diana Fla. Alicia Formed in the Gulf of Mexico and hit Houston dead on 1990 1989 1988 N.C. S.C. Hugo Gilbert 1987 1986 1985 Gloria Kate Ala. Miss. La. Elena Fla. 1984 1983 1982 N.C. S.C. Diana Alicia Formed in the Gulf of Mexico and hit Houston dead on 1981 1990 1989 Hugo 1988 1987 Gilbert 1986 1985 Gloria Kate Elena 1984 1983 Diana Alicia 1982 1981

Hurricane Allen devastated parts of Mexico and Southern Texas in 1980. When a storm is particularly costly or deadly, its name is retired. The name that replaced Allen? Andrew.

1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 Ala. Miss. Hurricane Allen reached category 5 on three different occasions. David Belle Fla. Frederic Anita Allen 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 Ala. Miss. La. La. Ginger New Orleans New Orleans Edith Fla. Fla. Eloise Agnes Carmen 1980 1979 1978 Ala. Miss. Hurricane Allen reached category 5 on three different occasions. David Fla. Frederic Allen 1977 1976 1975 Ala. Miss. Belle Fla. Eloise Anita 1974 1973 1972 La. New Orleans Fla. Agnes Carmen 1971 La. Ginger New Orleans Edith 1980 1979 David Frederic Allen 1978 1977 Anita 1976 1975 Belle Eloise 1974 1973 Carmen 1972 1971 Ginger Edith Agnes

Four major hurricanes struck the United States in 1964, and three made landfall in Florida: Dora, Isbell and Cleo. The next season was more tame, and only one storm made landfall. That hurricane, Betsy, slammed into Key Largo on its way to the Gulf Coast, where it killed at least 75 and caused more than $1.4 billion in damage.

1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 La. Gladys Camille Fla. Fla. Alma Celia Inez Beulah CUBA 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 Ginny La. Dora Ella La. New Orleans Betsy Fla. Fla. Miami Hilda Carla CUBA Isbell Cleo 1970 1969 1968 La. Gladys Camille Fla. Celia 1967 1966 1965 La. Betsy Fla. Fla. Alma Inez Beulah CUBA 1964 1963 1962 Ginny Dora Ella La. New Orleans Fla. Miami Hilda CUBA Isbell Cleo 1961 Carla 1970 1969 Camille Celia 1968 1967 Gladys Beulah 1966 1965 Betsy Alma Inez 1964 1963 Ginny Dora Hilda Isbell Cleo 1962 1961 Ella Carla

Notice the names? Until Bob in 1979, all storm names since 1953 had been female. Now every other storm is given a male name from a list maintained by the World Meteorological Organization. From 1950 to 1952, storms were named using the phonetic alphabet, which gave us names such as Able and Easy. That lasted for just three seasons, until Tropical Storm Alice in 1953 became the first storm with a woman’s name. Before that, storms weren’t officially named and were numbered in the order in which they arose.

1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 N.C. N.C. S.C. S.C. S.C. Gracie La. Helene La. Betsy Flossy Fla. Fla. Audrey Daisy Miami Ethel Donna CUBA Carol 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 N.C. N.C. S.C. S.C. S.C. How Diane Able Charlie Connie Edna Fla. Diane and Connie struck North Carolina within five days of each other. Hazel Ione Able Florence Fox CUBA 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 Ga. 9 La. 1 New Orleans Able Fla. 4 Fla. Fla. 4 Fla. Baker Fla. 2 8 Miami Miami Miami 6 Easy King 9 CUBA CUBA CUBA 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 N.C. 6 1 1 Fla. Fla. Fla. Miami Miami 9 3 5 11 13 2 CUBA CUBA 1960 1959 1958 N.C. N.C. S.C. S.C. S.C. Gracie La. Helene Fla. Daisy Miami Ethel Donna CUBA 1957 1956 1955 N.C. S.C. Diane Connie La. Betsy Flossy Fla. Diane and Connie struck North Carolina within five days of each other. Audrey Ione Carol 1954 1953 1952 N.C. S.C. S.C. Able Charlie Edna Fla. Hazel Florence Fox CUBA 1950 1949 1951 How 1 Able Fla. Baker Fla. 2 Able Miami Easy King CUBA 1948 1947 1946 Ga. 9 La. New Orleans 4 Fla. Fla. 4 Fla. 8 Miami Miami 6 9 CUBA CUBA 1945 1944 1943 N.C. 6 1 1 Fla. Fla. Miami 9 11 13 CUBA CUBA 1942 1941 Fla. Miami 3 5 2 1960 1959 Gracie Ethel Donna 1958 1957 Helene Audrey Daisy 1956 1955 Diane Connie Flossy Ione Betsy 1954 1953 Carol Edna Hazel Florence 1952 1951 How Able Charlie Able Fox 1950 1949 1 Able Baker 2 Easy King 1948 1947 9 4 8 9 1946 1945 1 4 6 9 11 1944 1943 6 1 13 1942 1941 3 5 2

Large storms, however, escaped the numerical nomenclature and got fancy monikers. There was the aptly named “Long Island Express,” which moved swiftly and struck the Northeast with little warning. In 1926, the “Great Miami” hurricane struck the nascent city in the midst of an economic boom. Many new and inexperienced residents died after they ventured outside as the calm eye passed over, unaware that the violent conditions quickly would return. The destruction effectively brought the Great Depression to South Florida three years early.

1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 4 13 Ga. 3 “The Long Island Express” 5 2 3 4 1935 1934 1933 6 1932 1931 Miss. Ala. 7 La. 12 7 Fla. Fla. 11 3 5 16 “Labor Day Hurricane” 1 14 2 CUBA CUBA 8 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 N.C. S.C. 2 “Great Miami” hurricane Ga. La. Fla. Fla. Fla. 1 3 2 “Okeechobee Hurricane” 10 CUBA 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 N.C. 4 5 3 Fla. Fla. 6 10 CUBA 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 S.C. Miss. Ala. La. 3 La. La. 4 Fla. Fla. 14 2 5 4 2 1 “Florida Keys Hurricane” CUBA 6 1940 1939 1938 4 Ga. 3 “The Long Island Express” 2 3 4 1937 1936 1935 13 7 Fla. 5 5 “Labor Day Hurricane” 1934 1933 1932 Miss. Ala. 7 La. 12 Fla. 11 3 16 1 14 2 CUBA CUBA 8 1931 1930 1929 2 Fla. 2 1928 1927 1926 N.C. S.C. “Great Miami” hurricane Ga. La. Fla. Fla. 1 3 “Okeechobee Hurricane” 10 CUBA 1925 1924 1923 N.C. 4 5 3 Fla. 10 CUBA 1922 1921 1920 La. 3 Fla. 2 5 6 1919 1918 1917 La. Fla. Fla. 4 1 “Florida Keys Hurricane” CUBA 1916 S.C. Miss. Ala. La. 4 14 2 6 1940 1939 4 3 2 1938 1937 “The Long Island Express” 3 4 1936 1935 13 7 5 5 “Labor Day Hurricane” 1934 1933 7 12 11 16 1 2 8 1932 1931 3 14 1930 1929 2 2 1928 1927 “Okeechobee Hurricane” 1926 1925 “Great Miami” hurricane 4 1 3 10 1924 1923 5 3 10 1922 1921 6 1920 1919 3 “Florida Keys Hurricane” 5 2 1918 1917 4 1 1916 4 14 2 6

While the final toll of Hurricane Matthew is yet to be seen, its scale is undeniable. It’s the strongest storm in the Atlantic since 2007, and similar storms have cost billions in damage and killed dozens. [Live updates]