In recent times, from 1871-1993, nearly 1,0OO tropical cyclones
of tropical storm or hurricane intensity have s cur red in the North
Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Of this total, about
180 have reached Florida, with 75 of these known to have hurricane
force winds (wind speed 2 74 mph) and 105 with tropical storm
force winds (39 mph - 73 mph). While early records are fragmentary and incomplete, the
following is a discussion of the more formidable Florida hurricanes.
For convenience and to provide readable hurricane tracks, the
discussion examines hurricanes occurring within 30-year periods,
divided into 10-year sections. When possible the SaffirISirnpson Scale (Table 1) describes the hurricane category for both past hurricanes (before the scale was developed), and recent hurricanes. (157pp.
