The eye of a storm is usually 20-30 miles wide and may extend more than 400 miles. The dangers of a storm include torrential rains, high winds, and storm surges. A hurricane can last for two weeks or more over open water and can run a path across the entire length of the eastern seaboard.

A hurricane's impact on a specific location in Florida typically lasts between 12 to 24 hours, but the broader lifespan of the storm can be much longer. A hurricane can exist for two weeks or more over open water before making landfall. Once it reaches the Florida coast, the most intense part of the storm—the eyewall—may pass over a city in just a few hours, depending on the storm's forward speed. However, tropical-storm-force winds can precede the center by several hours and linger long after the eye has passed. The official Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1st to November 30th, with the highest activity usually occurring between mid-August and mid-October. Even after the winds subside, the effects can last for days or weeks due to flooding, storm surge, and power outages. Floridians are advised to begin preparations 48 hours in advance (when a "watch" is issued) to ensure they are safe before the onset of dangerous winds.