{"id":23597,"date":"2023-11-01T09:09:03","date_gmt":"2023-11-01T14:09:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/?p=23597"},"modified":"2026-03-14T12:30:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T17:30:30","slug":"the-science-is-clear-climate-change-is-causing-more-damaging-hurricanes-in-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2023\/11\/01\/the-science-is-clear-climate-change-is-causing-more-damaging-hurricanes-in-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"The science is clear \u2013 climate change is causing more damaging hurricanes in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(This post was co-authored by EDF Senior Climate Scientist <\/em>Ilissa Ocko<\/em><\/a>)<\/p>\n

Hurricanes are complicated, and their characteristics depend on a number of factors, which makes it difficult to tease out certain trends and predict the future. But what is scientifically clear is that human-caused climate change is a key reason that hurricanes are more destructive \u2013 <\/span>especially in Florida.<\/p>\n

Hurricanes are becoming stronger faster. They are less predictable and thus more dangerous because there is less time to prepare and evacuate. Flooding from hurricanes is worsening due to higher sea level, more rainfall, and slower storm speeds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Florida has always been more vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms than any other U.S. state because its exposed, southern location is surrounded by warm waters. There are almost twice as many hurricanes that hit Florida as Texas, the second most impacted state. But shifting atmosphere and ocean conditions from climate change \u2013 caused by heat-trapping gases emitted from human activities \u2013 are making hurricane season even worse for Floridians. Here\u2019s how:<\/span><\/p>\n

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Hurricanes are becoming more unpredictable by strengthening faster\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Worldwide, hurricanes are growing bigger and stronger\u00a0as climate change heats up both the air and water. This is because hurricanes are fueled by warm water and humid air.\u00a0 One study shows<\/a> that<\/span> almost <\/span>half<\/span> of <\/span>today\u2019s <\/span>North Atlantic hurricanes are<\/span> reaching major intensity (Category 3, 4, or 5)<\/span>, which is<\/span> 260%<\/span> more than four decades ago<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hurricanes are also becoming stronger faster<\/a>, a phenomenon known as rapid intensification<\/a>. In fact, several recent storms have gone from tropical storm to major hurricane overnight \u2014something that used to be a rare occurrence. Scientists have found that climate change is leading to more favorable conditions for hurricanes to strengthen more quickly, such as warmer waters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When storms rapidly strengthen, it is difficult to predict how severe and threatening they can become. The result is less time to prepare and evacuate, leading to more economic damage and even loss of life.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every major hurricane to hit Florida since 2005 has strengthened rapidly. Hurricane Idalia<\/a>, which hit Florida this year, went from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane within 24 hours due to record high water temperatures. In 2022, Hurricane Ian<\/a> \u2013 which went from a tropical storm to a Category 3 hurricane in 36 hours right before landfall in southwest Florida \u2014 became the second deadliest storm this century (after Katrina) and the costliest hurricane in Florida\u2019s history.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Scientists expect<\/a> that the <\/span>rapid intensification of hurricanes will continue in the future<\/span> unless drastic measures are taken to limit further climate change.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hurricanes are causing more flooding<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is more flooding in Florida from hurricanes because storms now move slower, have more threatening storm surges, and bring increased rainfall:<\/span><\/p>\n