By Bella Kubach, Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Each year as hurricane season approaches, Floridians brace themselves. We check our storm shutters, stock up on supplies and prepare potential evacuation plans. But these annual preparations now come with growing anxiety as hurricanes hitting our shores have become stronger and more destructive.
And this is no coincidence. An overheating climate is the culprit behind their escalating conditions.
As the planet heats up, so do our oceans. Scientists have found that warmer oceans lead to more powerful hurricanes – and human-caused climate change is causing these exceptionally warm temperatures.
Climate Central researchers found that Hurricane Milton, which wrecked coastlines in 2024, wouldn’t have reached Category 5 extremes without global warming.
But as we continue to burn fossil fuels, creating heat-trapping pollution, and we fail to heed the warnings from climate science, hurricanes are on track to strengthen. Those so-called once-in-a-century events will occur with greater frequency – an increasingly alarming trajectory for Floridians on the front lines.
We saw this reality firsthand last fall. Hurricane Helene hit the state in September 2024, followed by Hurricane Milton just weeks later. These back-to-back storms caused massive flooding, prolonged power outages and forced thousands to evacuate. It took a devastating toll on Florida’s economy, impacting agriculture, small businesses and the state’s tourism sector.
Scientists estimate that the extreme ocean temperatures that fueled Helene were made 400 to 800 times more likely by climate change – clear evidence that human-driven warming is directly amplifying the risks we face.
And those risks aren’t just measured in wind speed or storm categories. They show up in flooded homes, power grid failures, soaring insurance premiums and residents questioning whether rebuilding is worth the cost.
While we can’t stop hurricanes from forming, our actions — or inaction — will play a role in how severe we are willing to allow these weather extremes to become.
That starts with treating climate change like the threat it is. The good news is we are not powerless; we have the innovation available to move away from damaging fossil fuels and to instead choose clean, renewable energy.
Few states see climate-caused devastation to the extent Florida does, which is why our lawmakers must be proactive to support clean energy sources. This common-sense effort would not only lessen pollution but unleash cheaper and more efficient energy options for Floridians already experiencing rising prices.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is already here, and forecasters are warning that it could be one of the most active on record, with as many as 19 named storms and up to five major hurricanes. That should be a serious wake-up call, especially for leaders representing us here on Florida’s frontlines.
Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody have the power to lead the charge for lucrative climate solutions. The first order of business should be fighting to keep the clean energy tax credits that have brought abundant investment and jobs to our state. Concerningly, these are presently on the chopping block as the Senate thrashes out the provisions of the Republican budget plan in the coming weeks.
Florida has always endured hurricanes, but the scale and frequency we now face demand a different kind of response if we are to remain resilient and safe in the coming years.
The storms are getting stronger. It’s time our response – and our leadership – did too.
Bella Kubach is a communications intern for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a nonprofit, grassroots climate advocacy organization, and is currently studying for a master of arts in global sustainability at the University of South Florida. Banner photo: An image captured on a NOAA satellite of Hurricane Milton approaching the Gulf Coast of Florida (NOAA).
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