Hurricane Andrew’s 922 Millibars and Hurricane Milton: How Florida’s Strongest Storms Compare
As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast in October 2024, it’s impossible not to compare it with some of the most devastating hurricanes in the state’s history. Florida, no stranger to catastrophic storms, has been hit by numerous hurricanes over the decades, but three in particular—Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Michael, and Hurricane Ian—stand out as powerful benchmarks. Now, as Hurricane Milton threatens landfall, comparisons to these previous storms are inevitable. Among the most notable of these storms, Hurricane Andrew is etched in Floridian history for its terrifying strength, particularly for its central pressure of 922 millibars, one of the lowest ever recorded in a U.S. hurricane.
On August 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew slammed into Dade County, Florida, with winds over 165 mph. Its central pressure of 922 millibars marked it as one of the strongest hurricanes to ever strike the United States. The destruction left in Andrew’s wake was unprecedented. It leveled neighborhoods, reduced homes to rubble, and left more than 250,000 people homeless. At the time, Andrew was the costliest hurricane in U.S. history, with damages estimated at $26.5 billion. The storm’s intense pressure contributed to its ferocity, making it one of only a handful of Category 5 storms to ever make landfall in the U.S.
Hurricane Andrew’s impact went beyond immediate destruction. It also reshaped Florida’s building codes and disaster preparedness. After Andrew, the state enacted stringent regulations designed to make homes and businesses more resilient to hurricane-force winds. Its legacy serves as a stark reminder of the potential devastation that can accompany a storm of such strength.
Fast-forward to October 2024, and Hurricane Milton has become the latest Category 5 hurricane to threaten Florida, with winds reaching 175 mph and a minimum pressure of 911 millibars. Though not yet making landfall, Milton is poised to rival Andrew in terms of intensity. If its strength holds, Milton could become one of the most intense hurricanes in Florida’s history, ranking third behind the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and Hurricane Camille of 1969.
Milton’s rapid intensification has drawn concern from meteorologists, especially as it formed in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where storms tend to grow stronger in short periods. By the time Milton makes landfall, it’s expected to weaken slightly, likely arriving as a strong Category 3 storm. Still, with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph and a central pressure of 911 millibars, Milton remains a formidable force, threatening to devastate parts of the state that are still recovering from last month’s Hurricane Helene.
While Hurricane Andrew is often considered the benchmark for destructive hurricanes in Florida, more recent storms like Hurricane Ian (2022) and Hurricane Michael (2018) have left their own marks. Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle as a Category 5 storm with winds of 140 mph, becoming the first storm of such magnitude to hit the region since Hurricane Andrew. It caused significant destruction, killing more than 40 people and inflicting billions in damages.
In 2022, Hurricane Ian, though a Category 4 storm at landfall, was similarly destructive, especially in the coastal areas near Fort Myers and Naples. With winds of 130 mph, Ian left a trail of destruction and claimed over 160 lives. These storms, alongside Andrew and Milton, underscore Florida’s vulnerability to hurricanes, especially as climate patterns shift and storms grow more powerful.
As of October 7, Hurricane Milton remains a powerful Category 5 storm, but experts at the National Hurricane Center predict some weakening as it approaches landfall. The warm Gulf waters have allowed Milton to rapidly intensify, but as it nears Florida, Milton may lose some of its strength due to cooler waters and increased wind shear. Even so, its current pressure of 911 millibars and maximum sustained winds of 175 mph make it a dangerous threat to the Tampa Bay area.
Despite the weakening forecast, Milton could still cause catastrophic damage. The storm surge is expected to reach heights of up to 15 feet in low-lying coastal areas, posing a significant risk to residents. Inland flooding, too, will be a major concern as heavy rainfall is anticipated across much of the state. Given the size of the storm, widespread power outages, wind damage, and potential infrastructure collapse are highly likely.
Florida has a long history of severe hurricanes, going back nearly a century to the 1926 Miami Hurricane, which left parts of downtown Miami submerged under a 10-foot storm surge. The storm, which many residents mistook for being over when its eye passed overhead, continued to wreak havoc, pushing water from the Atlantic across Biscayne Bay and into the city’s streets. This hurricane, along with Andrew, Michael, Ian, and now Milton, underscores the state’s ongoing battle with extreme weather events.
As Florida braces for Hurricane Milton, comparisons to past storms like Andrew remind residents of the grave risks that come with living in a hurricane-prone region. The state’s preparedness has certainly improved since 1992, but with storms growing stronger due to warmer ocean temperatures, the threat remains ever-present. Milton may join the ranks of Andrew and Michael as one of Florida’s most devastating hurricanes, depending on its path and intensity as it approaches landfall later this week.