Destin Hurricane History: Every Hurricane Since 1851

The 31 hurricanes came in 28 different seasons. The median wait from one hurricane season to the next was 5 years; the longest, 16 years, ran from 1956 to 1972. 3 seasons brought two or more: 1877 (unnamed, September and unnamed, October), 1985 (Elena and Kate) and 1995 (Erin and Opal). In the last 30 seasons (1996–2025) 4 passed within 75 miles of Destin at hurricane strength, against 6 in the 30 before (1966–1995) and 5.5 per 30 seasons from 1851 to 1965, when ships and coastal stations missed more storms.

13 came in September, 7 came in October and 5 came in August. The earliest in the season was Agnes, on June 19; the latest, Kate, on November 21.

12 of the 31 passed with Destin on their right-hand side, where wind and surge are usually strongest, and 15 with the city on the left; 4 passed within 5 miles of the city centre. The strongest right-side pass was Elena (1985), a Category 3 hurricane 59 miles south of Destin. The strongest at their closest point: Michael (2018, Category 5, 159 mph, 61 miles away), Eloise (1975, Category 3, 127 mph, 8 miles away) and Dennis (2005, Category 3, 123 mph, 37 miles away).

Of the 6 cities compared here, Destin has the most hurricane passes within 75 miles (31) and Pensacola the fewest (25); Destin ranks first. Pensacola, 50 miles west, shares the fewest: 17 of its 25 hurricanes also passed within 75 miles of Destin at hurricane strength.