County: Brevard
ZIP Codes: 32925
Patrick Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida, due to its coastal location on the barrier island of the Atlantic Ocean, is at significant risk for hurricane impacts. The Atlantic hurricane season's cyclical nature includes the possibility of severe storm surge, high-speed winds, and heavy rainfall, all of which can contribute to flooding and structural damage within the base. Its minimal elevation above sea level (ranging between 3 to 10 feet) makes it particularly susceptible to storm surge and flood damages. Its geographical position on a barrier island also means it could face larger impacts due to hurricane-induced erosion. Historically, Patrick AFB has faced some major hurricane threats and impacts over the last 30 years. In 2004, two hurricanes, Frances and Jeanne, had a significant impact on this region. More recently, although it did not make landfall, Hurricane Dorian in 2019 posed a considerable threat that called for the evacuation of the base. Each of these hurricanes brought in a lot of rain, causing flooding to different extents each time. Thus, it becomes vital to prepare for potential future threats by maintaining updated emergency plans and infrastructure resilience measures.