From the deadly Pulse terror attack in Orlando to Hurricane Matthew on the east coast to the primary and general election across Central Florida, this has been a tumultuous year in news, to say the least.

But there's no doubt that the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016 had the biggest impact in the Orlando area. Forty nine people were killed and more than 50 others injured in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. The tragic event forged a community bond, as members of the community united together against terror. 

Here are the most impactful stories of 2016, in order:

Pulse Shooting (45%)

It's been a little over six months since the Pulse nightclub shooting, killing 49 people and injuring more than 50 others. It has been called an act of terrorism by many politicians and agencies, including Gov. Rick Scott, President Barack Obama and the Orlando Police Department.

  • Pulse shooting is the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history
  • Many vigils have been held throughout the months to honor the victims
  • Victims, families and friends continue to share their memories
 

Presidential Election (24%)

Revolutionary, unprecedented, historic, disastrous.

Everyone has a word for the 2016 presidential election. Unpredictable may be the most biggest one. Not that the result of the year was completely unpredictable, but the way it all went down was pretty surprising, keeping politicos, journalists and lay people alike off-kilter all year long.

  • How it all started 
  • The conventions
  • The debates

 

Hurricane Matthew (17%)

Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc on Central Florida in October after it left the Bahamas and then slowly drifted north just off the coast. The storm brought heavy rains, gusty winds and damage to several counties, including Brevard, Volusia and Flagler. Hurricane Matthew thrashed the area and battered State Road A1A in Flagler County, causing a 1.3-mile chunk of the roadway to plunge into the Atlantic Ocean.

  • Hurricane Matthew impacted Florida Oct. 6-7
  • Matthew was a Category 3 storm at the time
  • More than 1 million lost power for several days

 

Police Shootings (6%)

2016 saw police shootings and officers shot while on duty in the national headlines almost every week. The bloodshed sparked protests in major cities, talk on the campaign trail by both presidential candidates, and worst of all, violence in reprisal for lives lost at the hands of law enforcement.

  • Controversial police shootings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castille
  • Police officers ambushed in Dallas during peaceful protest
  • Black Lives Matter vs. Blue Lives Matter

 

I-4 Ultimate Construction (2%)

The I-4 Ultimate Makeover started earlier last year and it spans more than 21 miles from west of Kirkman Road in Orange County to the east of State Road 434 in Seminole County.

  • Of the bridges, there will be 13 widened, 74 replaced and 53 added, totaling 140 permanent bridges
  • Two temporary bridges to maintain traffic during construction phasing
  • 15 major interchanges will undergo complete reconstruction

 

Alligator Attacks (2%)

As the year comes to a close, 2016 saw quite a few alligator attacks in Florida. Some attacks left people maimed, while another attack left a family broken.

  • 2-year old taken by gator at Disney World
  • Lakeland man lost hand to gator
  • Man attacked by alligator in Sumter County

 

SpaceX Rocket Explosion (2%)

A SpaceX Falcon rocket exploded at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Sept. 1, sending up a huge plume of smoke that showed up on weather radar and shook buildings for miles.

  • Explosion occurred during a static fire test, according to SpaceX
  • $200 million satellite was on the rocket
  • The company planned to launch a Falcon rocket from California on Dec. 16.

 

Theme Park Updates and Announcements (1%)

The debut of dozens of new attractions and experiences made 2016 a big year for Florida’s largest theme parks.

  • Mako roller coaster
  • "Star Wars" themed shows and rides
  • Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen

 

Death of Christina Grimmie (1%)

On Friday, June 10, hours before she was set to take the stage at “The Plaza Live”, singer Christina Grimmie encouraged fans via Twitter to come out to the show. Following the show, the 22-year-old YouTube star and Season 6 contestant on NBC’s “The Voice” was meeting fans in the venue’s lobby at a meet-and-greet that turned into a nightmare.

  • Kevin Loibl, 27, walked up to Grimmie while she was signing autographs and shot her
  • Grimmie’s brother tackled Loibl, but he was able to break free, back himself up against a wall, and shoot himself
  • Grimmie later died at Orlando Regional Medical Center

 

Zika (1%)

Zika became a big concern in Florida in 2016. By Feb. 2, Florida already had 9 confirmed cases of Zika -- Miami-Dade (4), Hillsborough (2), Lee (2), and Santa Rosa (1).

  • Zika had big impact on Florida in 2016
  • Number of Zika cases rose to 600 in Sept. 
  • By Dec. 9 Florida was cleared of any active Zika transmission