County: Okeechobee
ZIP Codes: 34972, 34974
Cypress Quarters, Florida, is adjacent to Lake Okeechobee and is thus not directly on the coast; however, it is still within a region vulnerable to hurricanes as hurricanes and tropical systems can travel considerable distances inland from the coast. The town is relatively low-lying, which increases the risk of flooding during heavy rains and hurricane events. Historically, Cypress Quarters and its surrounding regions have experienced many flood events, both due to tropical systems and due to heavy rain events independent of tropical activity. With hurricane storm surges, tremendous rainfall, and lightning, the area is susceptible to severe flooding, damage to property and infrastructure, power outages, and threats to life.
Over the past 30 years, Cypress Quarters has been impacted by various severe weather events, including hurricanes and major floods. Notably, in 2005, Hurricane Wilma tracked directly over this region, causing significant property damage and flooding. Other hurricanes like Hurricane Andrew (1992) also greatly impacted South Florida, including Cypress Quarters. As these storms demonstrated, even though Cypress Quarters might not bear the initial brunt of landfalling hurricanes, the area's low elevation and proximity to Lake Okeechobee make it susceptible to heavy rainfall and flooding. Residents should always heed evacuation and preparation warnings issued by local and state officials.