Hurricanes can physically transform forest ecosystems, leading to immediate and potentially long-lasting impacts on carbon dynamics. Using Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) data from the United States Forest Service, we compared the average carbon in trees (saplings, bole, stump, tops) and foliage pre- (2001–2003) and post- (2005–2007) Hurricane Ivan for different tree categories in the Perdido Bay Watershed located in the Florida Panhandle. The log-linear regression model indicates that variables stand type (softwood/mixed/hardwood), diameter, height, physiographic class (deep sands/flatwoods/rolling uplands/small drains/swamps/bottomlands), elevation, field age and plot affected status were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) determinants of carbon loss from the forest stands. Results showed that plots with medium-diameter stands lost more aboveground carbon than large and small-diameter stands, similarly, softwood-dominated stands lost more aboveground carbon than hardwood and mixed wood stands. Aboveground carbon decreased in stands with large (≥ 0.15 m) and medium (≥ 0.12 m) diameter-at-breast height (DBH) by 22.74 and 30.22 metric tons/ha, respectively. We ascertained a decrease of 74.51 and 17.82 metric tons/ha of aboveground carbon in hardwood and mixed plots after Hurricane Ivan, respectively. Aboveground carbon in young (< 25 y) taller trees (> 15 m) decreased by 121.55 metric tons/ha of carbon immediately after the hurricane. These findings underscore the critical necessity of comprehending the interplay between forest structure and hurricane activity to forecast the repercussions of such disturbances on carbon stocks. Our provided framework serves as a valuable tool for researchers and policymakers to assess the vulnerability of coastal forests and facilitate strategic planning to protect forests as carbon sinks. •More than 90 % of FIA plots inside the study area were affected by Hurricane Ivan.•About 28.64 % and 62.15 % decrease in carbon in trees (sapling, stump, bole, top) and foliage, respectively.•About 1.22 % and 13.25 % carbon decreased in mixed and softwood stands; softwoods losing 51.30 % more carbon than hardwoods.•Taller trees (>10 m) lost 23.22 % more carbon than smaller trees (<10 m).•Aboveground carbon in trees and foliage decreased 18.15% and 1.36% respectively, in trees with a medium diameter (≥0.12 m).