Hastings, Florida, while not immediately on the coast, is still significantly vulnerable to the impacts of hurricanes. The town is situated somewhat inland, but its proximity to St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean, less than 20 miles away, makes it susceptible to the effects of storm surges and inland flooding from torrential hurricane-induced rains. The area's elevation is roughly 26 feet, meaning it's not particularly susceptible to sea-level rise or storm surges but flood risk due to heavy rain could pose a challenge, considering parameters such as the local drainage capacity, soil saturation levels, and storm frequency. In the past 30 years, Hastings has experienced several impactful hurricanes, including Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which resulted in massive rainfall and caused significant flooding in the St. Johns County. Although not directly hit, it still experienced the secondary effects such as heavy rain, wind and flooding. Hurricane Frances in 2004 also had a notable impact, causing substantial flooding in nearby areas. Therefore, preparations for hurricanes in Hastings must take into account the potential for heavy rainfall and resulting inland flooding, strong winds and the risk of infrastructure damage or power outages, and the need for evacuation routes if river levels were to rise dramatically.