Hurricane Risk for Punta Cana, DO
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Since 1851, 135 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Punta Cana. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Ernesto (2024)
Passed within 120 miles of Punta Cana on August 14, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 2 (98 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Irma (2017)
Reached Cat 5 (178 mph) at its peak. Passed within 94 miles of Punta Cana.
Closest approach ever
Olga (2007)
Passed just 4.5 miles from Punta Cana on December 11, 2007.
When hurricanes hit Punta Cana
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1851:
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
Sign Up FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Punta Cana residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin | 2025 | Cat 5 | 173 mi | Aug 17, 2025 |
| Ernesto | 2024 | Cat 2 | 120 mi | Aug 14, 2024 |
| Oscar | 2024 | Cat 1 | 183 mi | Oct 19, 2024 |
| Franklin | 2023 | Cat 4 | 169 mi | Aug 23, 2023 |
| Fiona | 2022 | Cat 4 | 14 mi | Sep 19, 2022 |
| Nicole | 2022 | Cat 1 | 174 mi | Nov 06, 2022 |
| Grace | 2021 | Cat 3 | 102 mi | Aug 16, 2021 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 186 mi | Jul 03, 2021 |
| Laura | 2020 | Cat 4 | 38 mi | Aug 23, 2020 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 60 mi | Jul 30, 2020 |
| Dorian | 2019 | Cat 5 | 168 mi | Aug 29, 2019 |
| Beryl | 2018 | Cat 1 | 75 mi | Jul 10, 2018 |
| Maria | 2017 | Cat 5 | 59 mi | Sep 21, 2017 |
| Irma | 2017 | Cat 5 | 94 mi | Sep 07, 2017 |
| Bertha | 2014 | Cat 1 | 60 mi | Aug 03, 2014 |
| Irene | 2011 | Cat 3 | 57 mi | Aug 22, 2011 |
| Maria | 2011 | Cat 1 | 170 mi | Sep 12, 2011 |
| Earl | 2010 | Cat 4 | 171 mi | Aug 31, 2010 |
| Noel | 2007 | Cat 1 | 145 mi | Oct 26, 2007 |
| Dean | 2007 | Cat 5 | 198 mi | Aug 18, 2007 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Punta Cana sits in eastern Dominican Republic — look up your evacuation zone here.
- Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.