The 10 Worst Back-to-Back Hurricanes in History

By Hristina  •  October 11, 2024
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In February 2023, a paper published in the Nature Climate Change journal found that high intensity storms are happening with increasing frequency, and within dangerously close proximity to one another. The paper warned that when two storms arrive in quick succession, the hazards of the second storm are compounded by a high degree, with grave consequences for vulnerable populations in hurricane-prone areas.

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With the back-to-back arrivals of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, much of the Southeastern United States just experienced the paper’s findings firsthand. While Helene and Milton are together the worst back-to-back hurricanes in recorded history, there have been a handful of major storms that impacted the same areas within 15 days of one another.

To determine the worst back-to-back hurricanes in history, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on historical hurricane tracks from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hurricanes and tropical storms that impacted the same areas within 15 days of one another were ranked based on the average maximum sustained wind speed for each storm. Hurricane tracks from 1842 to 2022 were buffered by 50 miles and intersected with place boundaries from the U.S. Census Bureau. Only named storms were included.

10. Hurricane Hermine, followed by Tropical Storm Julia 12 days later (2016)

Pexels / Ambareesh Sridhar Photography

  • Hurricane Hermine max. land wind speed: 80.6 mph (September 2)
  • Tropical Storm Julia max. land wind speed: 51.8 mph (September 13) 
  • Site of confluence: Savannah, GA
 

9. Hurricane Connie, followed by Hurricane Diane five days later (1955)

Pexels / Hugo Magalhaes

  • Hurricane Connie max. land wind speed: 97.8 mph (August 12)
  • Hurricane Diane max. land wind speed: 71.3 mph (August 17) 
  • Site of confluence: Washington, D.C.
 

8. Hurricane Dennis, followed by Hurricane Floyd 11 days later (1999)

Pexels / KIM JINHONG

  • Hurricane Dennis max. land wind speed: 69.0 mph (September 4)
  • Hurricane Floyd max. land wind speed: 103.6 mph (September 16) 
  • Site of confluence: Greenville, NC
 

7. Hurricane King, followed by Hurricane Love two days later (1950)

Pexels / Suparerg Suksai

  • Hurricane King max. land wind speed: 132.3 mph (October 18)
  • Hurricane Love max. land wind speed: 62.1 mph (October 21) 
  • Site of confluence: Valdosta, GA
 

6. Hurricane Cindy, followed by Hurricane Dennis four days later (2005)

Pexels / Joel Zar

  • Hurricane Cindy max. land wind speed: 74.8 mph (July 6)
  • Hurricane Dennis max. land wind speed: 126.6 mph (July 10) 
  • Site of confluence: Mobile, AL
 

5. Hurricane Donna, followed by Tropical Storm Florence 13 days later (1960)

Pexels / Athena Sandrini

  • Hurricane Donna max. land wind speed: 143.8 mph (September 10)
  • Tropical Storm Florence max. land wind speed: 57.5 mph (September 24) 
  • Site of confluence: Tampa, FL
 

4. Hurricane Cleo, followed by Hurricane Dora 12 days later (1964)

Pexels / Engin Akyurt

  • Hurricane Cleo max. land wind speed: 109.3 mph (August 27)
  • Hurricane Dora max. land wind speed: 109.3 mph (September 10) 
  • Site of confluence: Kill Devil Hills, NC
 

3. Hurricane Ida, followed by Hurricane Nicholas 15 days later (2021)

Pexels / Scott Webb

  • Hurricane Ida max. land wind speed: 149.6 mph (August 29)
  • Hurricane Nicholas max. land wind speed: 74.8 mph (September 14) 
  • Site of confluence: New Orleans, LA
 

2. Hurricane Charley, followed by Hurricane Gaston 15 days later (2004)

Pexels / Dziana Hasanbekava

  • Hurricane Charley max. land wind speed: 149.6 mph (August 13)
  • Hurricane Gaston max. land wind speed: 74.8 mph (August 29) 
  • Site of confluence: Charleston, SC
 

1. Hurricane Helene, followed by Hurricane Milton 13 days later (2024)

Pexels / Guilherme Christmann

  • Hurricane Helene max. land wind speed: 140.0 mph (September 26)
  • Hurricane Milton max. land wind speed: 120.0 mph (October 9) 
  • Site of confluence: Tampa, FL
 

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