Florida experiences many hurricanes because of its geographical location and the warm waters surrounding it, which create ideal conditions for hurricane formation and intensification.

Geographic Location

• Florida is bordered by warm waters in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico
• Its long coastline gives hurricanes many opportunities to make landfall

Common Storm Paths

• Most Atlantic hurricanes form off the west coast of Africa and follow the “Cape Verde” track, curving across the Atlantic toward the Caribbean and U.S. East Coast — with Florida directly in the path.
• Other storms form in the Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico, and Florida is often a first stop.