20 years ago - Charley hit SW Fla. with 150 mph winds

Two decades ago today, Category 4 Hurricane Charley hit southwestern Florida with winds of 150 mph. This would kick-off a two-year period of one of the most destructive hurricane periods in U.S. history.

Hurricane Charley, after moving across the central and northern Caribbean and western Cuba, hit Punta Gorda Peninsula of southwestern Florida with winds of 150 mph. Homes, businesses and major infrastructure was completely leveled in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, closest to the hurricane’s landfall.

Extensive damage occurred along the hurricane’s path across central Florida, including around the Orlando area. In total, U.S. damage was estimated at $16.9 billion and caused 10 U.S. deaths.

Charley, at the time was the second costliest hurricane to hit the U.S. It would drop down the list later that year when Ivan struck the U.S. Gulf Coast and would drop further down the list in 2005 when the triple combo of Rita, Wilma and Katrina caused extensive damage along the U.S. coast. Katrina remains the costliest U.S. hurricane in U.S. history.

Weather and Radar meteorologists are keeping track of this year’s tropical developments. The latest information can be found in our daily Breakfast Brief.