Cases like Hurricane Katrina (2005) and Hurricane Ian (2022) show how landfall timing affects evacuation decisions, surge impact, and media reporting. Seeing the actual NOAA advisory timestamps drives the point home.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), a hurricane makes landfall when the center of the storm’s circulation (the eye) crosses the coastline.

Weather Enthusiast & Coastal Resident

A hurricane officially makes landfall when its (the eye) crosses the coastline. Landfall vs. "Hitting Land"