The official hurricane season in the Atlantic basin runs from June 1 to November 30. It's unpredictable when and if a hurricane could affect a particular area, but it is a possibility anytime during the hurricane season.

Hurricane Evacuations

Hurricane evacuation only apply to a small group of people. While rare, major hurricane can cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet. Which means if you live below sea level, or slightly above, you should get your **** out of the way. A major hurricane also has strong winds, which means if you live in an older trailer home or old unstable wood frame home, then you should also get your ***** out of the way. For the other 98% of Naples residents that this does not apply to then you stay put, but if a hurricane hits, there is a good chance you will end up without power for for hours or days. That is why officials recommend you be stocked with a 5 day water and food supply when a hurricane might be approaching.

Florida Hurricane History

While the risk of hurricanes is real, the average of a serious hurricane, category 3 or greater, hitting the State of Florida has averaged less than one in every four years. Significant winds can reach 50 miles from the eye of the storm, so with over 1.000 miles of coastline, the chance of a hurricane in any given year, having an impact on any particular coastal city is quite remote.

Naples Hurricane History

The International Hurricane Research Center ranks the Naples area low on its hurricane vulnerability list. Reasons include superior home and building constructions, lack of hurricane frequency and smaller population. In 2005 hurricane Wilma hit the Naples area, the first in over 45 years.

Naples Florida Hurricanes - Year 2006

Naples - quite and calm, nothing to report.

Naples Florida Hurricanes - Year 2005

Hurricane Wilma hit Naples as a category 3 Hurricane on October 24, 2005. The first major hurricane to hit the Naples area in over 40 years.

Most of the Naples area has been built under strict hurricane building codes. I would estimate that 99% of buildings had no or insignificant damage. Boats in protected harbors and bays were fine. No storm surge, flooding if any was no more than than what can occur after a summer storm.

Some trees where down from strong winds, but quickly removed. Wind knocked out power for a large area, but some areas never lost power.