Desoto Lakes, Florida, is at a moderate risk for hurricane impacts due to its geographic characteristics. Located approximately 15 miles from the Gulf Coast, it's not directly on the coast but close enough to experience hurricane effects such as high-speed winds and storm surge, especially with larger and more powerful storms. Moreover, the town does not benefit significantly from elevation as it is typically 50 feet or less above sea level. Similarly, the region has a moderate to high flood risk, given Florida’s propensity for heavy rainfalls during hurricanes, and Desoto Lakes' rather flat terrain that might facilitate water accumulation. Historically, Desoto Lakes has seen significant impacts from major hurricanes and related floods in the past 30 years. Most notably, it experienced effects from Hurricane Charley in 2004, a Category 4 storm that caused extensive damage throughout the state. The massive rainfalls from these storms resulted in local flooding. More recently, in 2017, Hurricane Irma, another Category 4, passed directly over the region, bringing damaging winds, high amounts of rainfall, and resultant flooding. These historical precedents should be considered seriously when preparing for potential future hurricane storms and their possible effects on Desoto Lakes.