Looking Back at the Most Famous Near-Miss Tropical Weather Events

With the 20th anniversary of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina last week, all of the weather history headlines have rightfully focused on this event. However, what about the hurricanes that could have been just as catastrophic, were it not for a slight shift in the track? Here is a look at some top near misses of potentially dangerous hurricanes over the years.

Ernesto - 2024

Just last year, Hurricane Ernesto unleashed severe flooding in Puerto Rico before continuing to the northwest and coming ashore in Bermuda. Ernesto did not make landfall in the U.S., sparing the East Coast a direct hit from the powerful hurricane.

Despite not seeing a hit from Ernesto, the Atlantic coastline still experienced some degree of Ernesto as it churned out in the open seas. Two fatalities from the rip currents generated by the storm were reported in South Carolina. A home on Hatteras Island in the North Carolina Outer Banks also completely collapsed into the water as rough surf conditions and high waves pounded the coastline.

Joaquin - 2015