As Hurricane Michael grows, a look at past storms that lashed Florida in October

Hurricane season is approaching its end in November, but there’s still time for strong storms to rip through Florida. Hurricane Michael is expected to hit the Florida Panhandle by midweek.

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October can be one of the most dangerous months for hurricanes. While September is the peak of the season, water is still warm enough in October to create large storms in the Caribbean that can move north to the Gulf.

Unnamed hurricane (1921)

This storm formed in the western Caribbean on October 20 before moving north into the Gulf. It reached Category 4 at its peak and made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Tarpon Springs at high tide. The storm had sustained winds of 111 mph, and Tampa Bay saw a storm surge of more than 10 feet.

The storm caused an estimate of $2 million in damages. It destroyed the trolley line that ran along Bayshore Boulevard. Near Palmetto Beach, forces the storm sent large cedar logs smashing into 50 frame homes. At least six died.

The road, now known as Gulf Boulevard in Indian Rocks Beach, was partially washed away during the October 20, 1921 hurricane which struck the Tampa Bay area . The unnamed hurricane formed in the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in Tarpon Springs causing six deaths in Florida and $3-million in damages. It's peak winds were clocked at 100 mph. The storm crossed Florida and exited the state at Ponce de Leon Inlet near Daytona Beach. [Photo courtesy of Heritage Village Archives and Library]

Cedar Logs crushed more than 50 houses in Palmetto Beach in Huricane of 1921. [John F. Germany Public Library]

This is the October 26, 1921 front page of the Tampa Daily Times. [Times archives]

Only pilings are left after the Cortez Fish Camps were swept away by the 1921 Hurricane. [Times archives]

Hurricane Gladys (1968)

Gladys was a Category 1 storm when it came ashore, but 85 mph winds and a 6- to 7- foot storm surge caused at least $6.7 million in damages. The storm splintered mobile homes and sank boats.

The storm formed in the western Caribbean and made landfall between Crystal River and Bayport. Hurricane-force winds were felt from Pinellas to Citrus counties, according to Times archives.

Hurricane Gladys, October 19 1968 [Times archives]

Hurricane Gladys hits Pinellas County on October 18 1968. [Times archives]

Hudson: Trailer frame bent around light pole is stark evidence of Gladys fury. [Times archives]

Surfing in broiling gulf at St Pete Beach at the end of Corey Avenue during Hurricane Gladys. [Times archives]

Hurricane Opal (1995)

The Associated Press called Opal “the most destructive hurricane to strike the Florida Panhandle in the 20th Century.” The name Opal was permanently retired from the hurricane name roster after this storm.

The Category 3 hurricane made landfall at Pensacola Beach, where residents were still trying to bounce back just two months after Hurricane Erin. The storm brought an estimated $3 billion in damages thanks to 115 mph winds and 12-to-15-foot storm surge. Opal caused deaths in the U.S., Mexico and Guatemala.

Ernie Heinrich has a precarious perch on the second floor of his three-story townhouse Wednesday, Oct. 11, 1995 in Navarre Beach, Fla., as he recovers possessions from the building damaged by Hurricane Opal on Oct. 4. A storm-surge tore off the side of the house facing the Gulf of Mexico. [Steve Mawyer | AP]

Pensacola Beach, Fla., residents, from left, Les and Lynn Cieutat and Dan Summerlin protest on Monday, Oct. 9, 1995 against officials' refusal to let all residents return to their barrier island community that was battered by Hurricane Opal. They held the protest at the foot of a bridge in Gulf Breeze, Fla., that leads to Santa Rosa Island. Officials agreed to let about half of Pensacola Beach's 4,000 residents return home. [Scott Fisher | AP]

George Kouskoutis of Allstate Insurance ventures down Athens Street in Tarpon Springs at high tide to have a look at some of the shops his company insures. [V. Jane Windsor | Times archives]

Drew Giesen checks out the remains of his house on Navarre Beach, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 7, 1995. It was the first day resedents were allowed on the beach to check damage since the hurricane. [John Blackie | AP]

Hurricane Wilma (2005)

Wilma’s destruction stretched from Naples to Miami, impacting more than 10 million of Florida’s then-16 million residents. It made landfall in South Florida as a Category 3 storm and left about 6 million people over 28 counties without electricity. It was the eighth hurricane to hit Florida in a 15-month span. Wilma was responsible for at least six deaths.