by Mike Colpitts 
- Southwest Florida dodged two hurricanes, but may not be in the clear yet this hurricane season.
- Major hurricanes don’t hit the Fort Myers region often, but climate change may be changing things.
- The 2025 hurricane season has been average so far, but forecasters are saying that could change quickly.
Southwest Florida dodged the wrath of a one-two punch from two Atlantic hurricanes, as the hurricane season returned to a quiet one after Hurricane Imelda moved out into the Atlantic. Forecasters are monitoring the storm as it moved over Bermuda.
The category 2 storm drew the attention of Florida residents as it grew in intensity along its path after Hurricane Humberto moved well out to sea. Hurricanes are major topics in Southwest Florida. Major hurricanes don’t hit the Fort Myers region often but when they do they certainly attract everyone’s attention.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has been an average one so far with just four named hurricanes. Predictions for 14 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes are still possible as the forecast for Southwest Florida’s coast remains worrisome. The region is often in the direct path of storms that form in the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico.
Florida is highly experienced dealing with hurricanes, with the increasing frequency of intense storms with climate change. Two new storms in the Atlantic are expected to form over the next several days, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The 2024 hurricane season produced three hurricanes that hit Florida, including Milton, which did substantial damage to the region. “We are entering a period of more active hurricane seasons as sea surface temperatures continue to rise, providing more fuel for storms,” said Dr. Philip Klotzbach, a hurricane researcher at Colorado State University.
Southwest Florida is home to many small coastal communities, retirement villages, and tourist hotspots, which are vulnerable to hurricanes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), rising sea levels combined with storm surges have exacerbated flooding risks in areas like Fort Myers, Naples, and Cape Coral.
Infrastructure like roads, bridges, and utilities are often not built to withstand the intensity of modern hurricanes, especially as climate change increases the severity of the storms.
“We are seeing more intense storms, and we’re learning the hard way that many of our older buildings just aren’t up to the task,” Kimbo Burk, Lee County Emergency Management Director told the Naples Daily News. “We need to ensure that new infrastructure is built with these storms in mind.”
One of the most significant challenges in Southwest Florida is the evacuation process. The region’s population has surged, and large-scale evacuations can be chaotic. Local authorities issue evacuation orders days before a storm arrives, but the process can be difficult due to limited evacuation routes and the dense population.
“The traffic congestion during evacuations can be unbearable, and many people do not leave early enough. It’s a huge logistical problem,” said Greg Wehking, a local emergency management official, during a recent public safety seminar in Fort Myers.
In an effort to stabilize the homeowners insurance market, the Florida state government introduced new reforms, but experts say that property insurance rates in the region are likely to remain high.