Hurricane Xenia

Hurricane Xenia was a strong, deadly, and costly Category 5 hurricane that devastated Cuba, Florida, and The Carolinas in November 2018. In all, 184 people were killed and $370 billion (2018 USD) in damages.

On November 12, a disturbance became Tropical Depression Twenty-Six near Cuba. In under 24 hours, the most rapid intensification and pressure drop ever occurred.

From a disturbance with 25 mph winds, the system became a Category 5 Hurricane Xenia with 185 mph winds, a record increase of 160 mph. The pressure drop of 273 mbar from 1158 mbar to 885 mbar is also a new record.

The U.S. state of Florida declared a state of emergency, and by November 18, Xenia was 20 miles off the coast of Florida before an eyewall replacement cycle took place, causing the system to weaken to 160 mph winds before impacting Florida just north of Naples. Hertz Arena was severely damaged and flooded. In South Florida alone, $145 billion in damages and 82 deaths occurred.

Exiting the U.S., Xenia further weakened into a Category 4 before striking Bermuda with 130 mph winds. Xenia made a hard left turn and moved up the U.S. east coast, striking Virginia with 175 mph winds. Another $60 billion in damages was done in the state, along with 60 deaths, before an impact of Pennsylvania at a low-end Category 3 strength occurred.

The Pennsylvania capital city of Harrisburg, along with Erie and Pittsburgh suffered severe flooding, causing another $165 billion in damages and 42 deaths.

Xenia finally dissipated over Indiana after killing 184 and causing a then secondly-record of $370 billion in damages made Xenia the second costliest Atlantic hurricane on record, along with the second costliest in world history, until multiple Category 5 hurricanes passed Xenia. Due to record damage, Xenia was retired and replaced with Ximen for the 2024 season.