West Melbourne, Florida, is a coastal community located just barely inland on the eastern coast of the state. This location puts it at significant risk of impact from hurricanes. Being only about 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, it must be prepared for major storm surge and wind damage, particularly from hurricanes making landfall on or near the Space Coast. Though West Melbourne is not significantly elevated, it does experience some issues with flooding during extreme weather events because of the heavy rainstorms often associated with hurricanes. In the last 30 years, West Melbourne has been threatened by and experienced the effects of multiple major hurricanes. In 2004, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne both caused extensive damage in the area. More recent events include Hurricane Irma in 2017 which caused substantial flooding and damage in West Melbourne. While its geography slightly inland offers some minor protection from storm surge, the town's relative proximity to the coast and flat terrain enhances its overall vulnerability to hurricane impacts. It's critical to note that not only direct hits pose a threat; hurricanes passing nearby can still cause severe damage through high winds, heavy rains, and spawned tornadoes.