Florida

Hurricane season 2022: How it impacted Central Florida, a look back at the numbers

ORLANDO, Fla. — Wednesday marks the end of hurricane season 2022.

In Central Florida, it’s a season that won’t soon be forgotten. Here’s a look back at the season by the numbers and how the season impacted our area.

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According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this hurricane season produced 14 named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater), of which eight became hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater) and two intensified to major hurricanes with winds reaching 111 mph or greater.

This season, there were three hurricane landfalls along the U.S. mainland coast: Hurricane Ian as a Category 4 storm in Cayo Costa, Florida, and then again as a Category 1 storm in Georgetown, South Carolina; and Hurricane Nicole as a Category 1 storm in north Hutchinson Island, Florida.

Read: Orange County continues to collect hurricane debris after Ian, Nicole

Hurricane Fiona made landfall outside of the mainland U.S. as a Category 1 storm near Punta Tocon, Puerto Rico.

Channel 9 meteorologist Rusty McCranie said Central Florida saw significant impacts from this hurricane season, specifically hurricanes Ian and Nicole.

Read: Wilbur-by-the-Sea man, 89, recalls riding out Hurricane Nicole in beachside home

He said Ian will be remembered for the record rainfall and urban and river flooding that it brought to many areas that had never flooded before.

On the other hand, Hurricane Nicole brought devastating impacts to portions of Florida’s coast with storm surges and wave erosion destroying homes, buildings and roads.

Read: ‘No answers’: New Smyrna Beach commissioner hosts forum for residents ravaged by Ian, Nicole

“The recovery from both hurricanes will take months, if not years, and will never be forgotten by those it impacted,” McCranie said.

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Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.