Answering the question of “When is hurricane season 2024?” is straightforward. However, knowing it officially starts on June 1 and ends on November 30 is only half the battle when preparing your commercial property for the upcoming hurricane season.
It’s also good to know where hurricanes are most likely to strike and which locations see the most major hurricanes. Knowing the peak season range for various regions of the U.S. is also vital, as is understanding the steps to take before and after a storm makes landfall.
At Yellowstone Landscape we serve several regions that seem to be magnets for hurricanes, so we have years of experience in storm preparation and the various recovery phases. And with what we’ve learned from some recent, historically devastating storms (and their recent pattern changes) we hope to help you develop a plan for the 2024 hurricane season and beyond.
Understanding Hurricane Season
It’s worrisome that hurricane season lasts for half the year, but the good news is you get the other half of the year to prepare for the worst. The worst usually arrives between mid-August and mid-October—that’s when 2024’s hurricane season peaks. That’s valuable information that ensures these tropical storms, though unstoppable, won’t catch you off-guard.
It’s also good to note that hurricanes are most likely to form in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Peak Atlantic hurricane season is around September 10. We’ll get to the Pacific hurricane season in a moment, but check out these key statistics first:
- The Atlantic hurricane season averages 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes—Category 3 and up.
- From 2010 to 2022, Florida (8), Louisiana (7), North Carolina (5), and Texas (4) were the most hurricane-prone states (made landfall).
- Hurricanes (aka tropical cyclones) accounted for over half of all billion-dollar natural disaster costs (1980-2023).
- Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the costliest hurricane—$186.3 billion (adjusted for inflation).
2017’s Atlantic hurricane season saw Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria rack up $306.2 billion in damages—combined with 13 other weather events.
When Hurricane Season Occurs
Part of the Pacific hurricane season (May 15 to November 30) begins a couple of weeks before the Atlantic season starts on June 1. Both hurricane seasons end on the same day (November 30). Of course, storms can strike outside those dates.
The first named storm in the Atlantic usually arrives in mid to late June, while the year’s first official hurricane typically forms about mid-August. The first major hurricane of the year typically lands in late August or early September.
The Pacific hurricane season is divided into two sections:
Eastern Pacific Basin (May 15 to November 30). Averages 15 named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes per season based on 1991-2020 data. Peak season is late August.
Central Pacific Basin (June 1 to November 30). Four to five tropical cyclones occur annually, on average. Recent weather pattern shifts show zero tropical cyclones originating in the Central Pacific basin, rather, cyclones moved in from the Eastern Pacific.
Let’s look closer to see when 2024’s hurricane season peaks for the states that feel the brunt of it.
Regional Focus
Since some states are constantly in danger of falling within the path of hurricanes, Yellowstone Landscape is capable of moving our resources and personnel to these frequently struck states when the need arises. With over 70 branches, we’re in a great position to provide additional workers and resources for clients needing reliable, safety-focused clean-ups.
Smaller, local providers can be overwhelmed by hurricane clean-ups and can’t get to their clients in a timely fashion. Worse, in the days following any major disaster, property owners have to beware of some dishonest “clean-up crews” that are actually con artist crews.
Since 1851, here is a list of the top five states that endure the most hurricanes and some interesting facts about notable storms:
Florida
- 120 hurricanes (37 were Category 3 or higher)
- The Florida Keys (Monroe County) has endured 117 hurricanes / tropical storms, the most of any county
- Hurricane Easy in September 1950 dumped an estimated 38.70” of rain on Yankeetown, Florida, in just 24 hours
- Recent major hurricanes—Ian (2022), Michael (2018), Irma (2017), and Wilma (2005)
Texas
- Texas ranks second with 64 hurricane strikes
- 19 were major hurricanes (Category 3 and up)
- 2017’s Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding in the Houston area
Louisiana
- Louisiana ranks third with 63 hurricanes
- 19 major hurricanes, including Category 5 Hurricane Camille in 1969
- The unforgettable Hurricane Katrina wreaked historic havoc in 2005
North Carolina
- North Carolina is fourth with 58 hurricane hits since 1851
- Seven major hurricanes
- The Outer Banks region (Hyde and Dare Counties) has seen over 110 hurricanes / tropical storms within 50 miles
South Carolina
- South Carolina ranks fifth with 32 hurricane strikes
- Five were major hurricanes
Peak hurricane season often sees the most violent storms that etch their mark in the history books.
Hurricane Katrina did incalculable damage to families while also wrecking over 320 square miles of coastal marshes and islands. Mangrove forests and coastal ecosystems were turned upside down by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. And billions of feet of timber were slammed to the ground by 1989’s Hurricane Hugo.
As for the most hit county in the Florida Keys, Hurricane Wilma left her mark via storm surges and devastating winds. Pristine beaches were eroded, and defoliation was rampant.
Obviously, massive hurricanes can’t be controlled. However, humans have the unique ability to forecast and adapt.
Preparing Commercial Landscapes for Hurricane Season
You need a landscape provider that keeps your property prepared for violent storms at all times. That way, damage can be minimized when hurricane season 2024 peaks or a even a strong thunderstorm appears out of nowhere.
Here are some key guidelines for hurricane preparation.
Pruning and clearing: Unhealthy, damaged, and dead branches should be trimmed. Dead plant material, fallen limbs, and loose debris need to be cleared from the property. And lightweight planters, patio furniture, and decorations should be secured or brought indoors. These steps help prevent objects from being hurled by dangerous winds.
Irrigation: When a hurricane is forecasted, it’s best to pause watering, as saturated soil may assist high winds in uprooting trees and shrubs. Turn off the water supply to irrigation systems to avoid flooding if pipes are broken by falling trees or limbs.
Other precautions: Add bracing to trees prone to splitting. Cut back branches touching buildings to prevent them from “whipping” structures (especially windows). Protect windows with shutters or plywood when possible. Areas with drainage problems should be addressed before a storm turns them into drainage disasters.
The goal is stabilizing your landscape to avoid making Mother Nature’s wrath worse.
What about wind-resistant plants and best practices?
Plant Selection
The following plants have better odds of surviving hurricane season:
- Trees: Pines, palms, live oaks, crape myrtles
- Shrubs: Oleander, yaupon holly, saltbush, beach rose
- Perennials: Daylilies, coneflowers, sedums, beach sunflowers
- Grasses: Muhly, fountain, saltmeadow cordgrass
- Ground covers: Lantana, portulaca, delosperma, beach morning glory
Consider tolerance to salt spray and sandy soils in addition to wind resistance.
As for planting and care, group plantings provide more wind protection than individual plantings. Younger plants may need bracing if not fully established. And while heavy hurricane rains can wash away anything, mindful use of mulch can prevent erosion in many instances.
Prepare as best you can. It makes recovery more manageable.
Post-Hurricane Recovery for Landscapes
Keep these five phases top-of-mind with the recovery once a hurricane passes:
- Safety first
- Damage assessment
- Debris removal
- Erosion control
- Rebuilding and mitigation
After the storm, wait for local officials to give the go-ahead to safely return to the area. Some hazards are obvious (down power lines, traffic signals out), while many more are hidden, perhaps by standing water—which may be contaminated, electrically charged, or hiding sharp debris.
Stay a safe distance from broken trees and limbs. Your landscape provider should walk the property to check for tree, plant, and irrigation system damage. Also, they should note blocked access points (roadways and walkways).
Clean-up is next. Fallen or damaged trees and limbs should be removed along with other debris. Waterways and gutter systems may need clearing for proper drainage.
A common problem and serious hardship after a hurricane?
Property owners often have hurricane wreckage sitting on their commercial property for weeks if their landscaping provider has limited equipment and resources.
Yellowstone Landscape is a nationwide company with vast resources we can call on for post-hurricane clean-ups. Our local branches on the scene also know the community and their needs, so we can respond quickly in comparison to other companies.
Once your property is cleaned up, it’s time to replant where needed. Consider plant materials we noted above with better survival chances when the next tropical storm strikes. Planting diverse species can increase resilience for a commercial landscape too. Adding compost and mulch can stabilize the ground and prevent erosion especially when combined with strategically planned grasses and groundcovers.
Storm-ready designs and materials protect your rebuilding investment and mitigate future damage. Simply relocating certain landscape elements can lower your risks, while larger projects like a retention pond, might become a high priority.
Conclusion: When is Hurricane Season 2024?
Now you know that hurricane season engulfs half of 2024 for the most active regions—from June 1 to November 30. If you’re in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, or South Carolina you also realize that these destructive storms are more likely to target your state.
But now we hope that you also now better understand what to expect after a hurricane. Even more importantly, we’ve given you strategies to prepare, as best you can, for these violent storms. The main thing with commercial properties is to protect your staff and yourself. Your landscaping provider should have the expertise to maximize the preparedness of your landscape.
Just know that preparedness doesn’t only coincide with hurricane season. Commercial landscapes should be properly prepared and cared for all year, from January 1 to December 31.
If you want a personalized hurricane readiness plan, contact Yellowstone Landscape today.
BONUS: Hurricane Preparation Quick Tips and Checklist
Hurricane Preparation Quick Tips
- Create a disaster response plan for employee safety, securing the property, backing up data, and protecting assets.
- Update and distribute emergency contact lists for employees, vendors, contractors, and local authorities.
- Name a point person for communications (including signing off on clean-up costs).
- Review insurance policies to ensure coverage for wind, flood, and business interruption.
- Trim trees and clear debris to prevent wind-blown projectiles.
- Install hurricane shutters or plywood over windows and brace exterior doors.
- Secure or bring inside loose outdoor objects like signage, furniture, or equipment.
- Prepare emergency kits with water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, first aid, etc.
- Back up data and records to the cloud or off-site storage out of harm’s way.
- Identify higher ground to store inventory, equipment, and vehicles to minimize flood damage.
- Check backup generators’ fuel levels and that they're working properly.
- Select a post-hurricane team to assess damage, coordinate cleanup, manage payments to clean-up crews, manage insurance claims, etc.
Seasonal landscaping maintenance checklist before and after hurricane season.
Before a hurricane:
- Prune trees and shrubs to remove dead, damaged, or overhanging branches.
- Clear gutters, downspouts, and drainage areas of debris to allow proper water flow during heavy rains.
- Secure or store loose outdoor items (planters, furniture, decorations, etc.) that could get blown away.
- Install hurricane shutters or plywood over windows and doors (if possible).
- Turn off irrigation systems to avoid oversaturating the soil (may prevent uprooted plants and trees).
- Identify and prepare to remove hazardous trees (dead, diseased, or have structural problems).
After a hurricane:
- Assess property damage only after deemed safe by authorities.
- Photograph damage for insurance claims.
- For major tree damage or removals, consult a certified arborist to prevent dangerous or costly mistakes.
- Remove fallen trees, branches, debris, and litter from parking entries, exits, drainage areas, and yards.
- Prune damaged or hazardous hanging branches from trees and shrubs.
- Have irrigation systems inspected and make repairs before restarting.
- Replant areas impacted by erosion or plant loss with wind-resistant species.
- Replenish mulch.
Extra resources:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1269483/number-of-hurricanes-that-made-landfall-in-the-us-state/
https://www.foxweather.com/learn/county-ranking-list-hurricane-threat
