More hurricanes are slamming the Gulf Coast. Is this the new normal?

Since the turn of the century, major hurricanes hitting the U.S. have had one key feature in common.

Location.

The Gulf of Mexico coastline transformed into a bullseye for major storms, which have taken aim from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Marco Island and destroyed communities in their wake. Eighteen hurricanes reaching Category 3 strength or higher have made landfall along the continental U.S. since 1999.

All but one slammed into the Gulf Coast.

The pattern is even more stark since 2017: All 10 major hurricanes that have made landfall in the U.S. struck communities along the Gulf — including six in Florida.

Milton and Helene, occurring not even two weeks apart , were the latest in the streak that’s left Floridians collectively wondering why.

Hurricane experts say storms are growing