| Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
 Hurricane Florence near peak intensity south of Puerto Rico. | |
| Formed | August 22, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | September 8, 2018 |
| (Remnant low after September 4) | |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 165 mph (270 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 931 mbar (hPa); 27.49 inHg |
| Fatalities | 167 |
| Damage | $15.12 billion (2018 USD) |
| Areas affected | Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Florida |
| Part of the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season | |
Hurricane Florence was the first Category 5 hurricane in the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the most active Atlantic hurricane season ever. A tidal wave moved off the coast of Africa, quickly forming Tropical Storm Florence. While over warm waters, the system quickly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane, making it the strongest hurricane of the season at the time, the second Category 4 hurricane of the season, and the second major hurricane of the season.
While tracking towards Puerto Rico, an eyewall replacement caused the system to briefly weaken to a Category 3. The system regained it's strength, hitting Puerto Rico as a Category 5.
Catastrophic damage was done to the island, with an estimated $5 billion on the island itself.
As the system was causing destruction in Puerto Rico, it weakened to a low-end Category 2 before striking Cuba as a Category 3 as the system regained strength. Another $2.12 billion was done in damages in Cuba as flash-flooding and high straight-line winds caused destruction.
The system was expected to head out into the Gulf of Mexico and dissipate, however, the storm regained Category 4 strength and hit Florida at Category 5 strength, causing another $8 billion in damages in the state. On September 8, the system dissipated after killing 167, injuring over 4,300, and causing $15.12 billion (2018 USD) in damages.
Due to extensive flooding and economic losses, Florence was retired and replaced with the name Frank for the 2024 season. The name Florence will never again be used for another Atlantic hurricane.