County: Polk
ZIP Codes: 33881, 33851, 33838, 33844
Lake Hamilton, Florida, being situated in Central Florida and approximately 70 miles inland from the Gulf Coast and nearly twice that from the Atlantic, is fairly shielded from the immediate impacts of coastal storm surge that can often accompany hurricanes. However, it’s still vulnerable to the other perils associated with hurricanes: wind damage and flooding from torrential rains. Lake Hamilton, being relatively flat with an average elevation of only 98 feet above sea level, must grapple with the risk of inland freshwater flooding, which is likely exacerbated during heavy rainfall due to the abundance of water bodies in the vicinity and the town's limited elevation.
In the last 30 years, Lake Hamilton has been affected by several major hurricanes, including 2004's hurricanes Frances and Jeanne that caused significant damage due to strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding in Central Florida. More recent hurricanes Irma in 2017 and Elsa in 2021 also impacted the town, causing electricity disruptions and flooding in certain areas. It is a good reminder for local residents that even with its inland location, the town is not immune to the damages hurricanes can cause and thus, residents should always heed evacuation orders, prepare emergency kits and secure their homes before a storm's arrival.