County: Pasco
ZIP Codes: 33576, 33574
St. Leo, Florida, is situated inland, approximately 40 miles from the Floridian coast. Therefore, it doesn't face the immediate coastal impacts associated with hurricanes like storm surge, though its relative distance from the coastline does not make it immune to the threats posed by hurricanes. Depending on a storm's track and size, St. Leo can still experience significant wind damage and, particularly, heavy rainfall which can lead to localized flooding. The town sits at a modest elevation of roughly 200 feet, providing the area some defense against overall flood risk. The area's primary vulnerability is likely heavy rain and potential flooding, particularly in any low lying or poorly drained areas. In terms of its hurricane and flood history over the last 30 years, St. Leo has witnessed several significant weather events. Most notably, the town faced the dangerous Hurricane Irma in 2017, which brought substantial rainfall causing the disruption of infrastructure and services. Moreover, while not a hurricane, the Tropical Storm Debby in 2012 was also of note as it passed right over St. Leo, saturating the region with copious amounts of rain. While hurricanes and major floods are not regular occurrences in St. Leo, the region is still susceptible to such events, and preparations should be made accordingly.