County: Orange
ZIP Codes: 32824
Being positioned in Central Florida, Meadow Woods is relatively inland, providing some protection from the direct landfall of hurricanes which often lose strength as they move away from the coast. However, the town is not completely immune from hurricane threats. Although wind damage can arise from any hurricane pass, its inland position lowers the likelihood of storm surge damage which predominantly impacts coastal areas. However, the residing proximity to large bodies of water like Lake Toho to the south can still pose a flooding threat, particularly if rainfall from a slow-moving or stalled tropical system is significant. The flat topography of the area does not help either as it could potentially exacerbate flooding by providing no natural water run-off. Revisiting historical data, the most significant storm to impact Meadow Woods was Hurricane Charley in 2004, which caused considerable damage. The town has also been influenced by other major hurricanes, such as Frances and Jeanne in 2004, and Irma in 2017, each contributing to power outages and localized flood incidents. Given this history, residents should be keen on observing hurricane preparedness guidelines and maintaining awareness during hurricane season. The local government and community organizations should also be proactive in maintaining infrastructure, planning emergency responses, and setting up accessible resources and shelters for potential evacuations.