County: Franklin
ZIP Codes: 32328
St. George Island, Florida, being a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, is in a particularly vulnerable position when it comes to hurricane threats. Its coastal position and relative flatness, with a maximum elevation of about 12 feet, indicate an inherent risk from storm surges and associated flooding. Furthermore, as observed during Hurricane Dennis in 2005, even moderate-strength hurricanes can cause significant damage due to the infrastructure's direct exposure to the coastline. In terms of the risk from high winds, practically all structures and buildings on the island, including residential areas, are exposed and could potentially be heavily damaged. Historically, St. George Island has been impacted by several notable hurricanes over the past 30 years. Hurricane Hermine in 2016, a Category 1 storm, struck the island and caused extreme localized flooding and wind damage. One of the significant events within this timeframe was Hurricane Dennis in 2005 which hit as a Category 3 storm, causing substantial damage from high winds, heavy rain, and storm surges. Additionally, the island was affected by Hurricanes Opal in 1995 and Michael in 2018. With the increasing intensity and frequency of hurricanes due to climate change, serious considerations must be given to the impact of future hurricanes on the region. Future hurricane preparations should place emphasis on both preventative measures, such as improved construction standards and strategic evacuation plans, and post-hurricane recovery to address this continuous threat.