County: Holmes
ZIP Codes: 32455



Ponce de Leon, Florida, situated approximately 35 miles inland from the Gulf Coast, does face certain risks from hurricanes, most significantly from torrential rainfall and resultant flooding. This inland location does provide some protection from storm surge, which is typically observed as a major factor of destruction in coastal regions during hurricanes. However, Ponce de Leon is positioned in a region largely dominated by lowland topography, making the area vulnerable to prevalent flooding during extreme weather events. Tropical cyclones originating from the Gulf can bring substantial rain bands causing riverine or flash flooding. Historically, the town has succumbed to floods associated with tropical depressions and hurricanes. Within the past 30 years, Ponce de Leon has experienced impacts from various hurricanes, including Hurricane Opal in 1995, Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and Hurricane Michael in 2018. Hurricane Opal and Ivan both brought widespread damage due to their high rainfall totals, resulting in flooding. In particular, Hurricane Michael, categorized as a Category 5 hurricane, unleashed its fury on this part of Florida, including Ponce de Leon, with violent winds and heavy rainfall triggering flash floods. Although the city is somewhat protected from destructive storm surges, its vulnerability to potential floods along with high-speed winds, during a hurricane event remains a crucial consideration. Appropriate measures for flooding should be taken into account by the local administration and residents alike.






This page shows the hurricane evacuation zone for Ponce de Leon, St. Petersburg, Florida, based on official state and local data. Your evacuation zone indicates your area’s risk from storm surge and flooding during a hurricane or tropical storm. When officials issue evacuation orders, they often do so by zone (e.g., Zone A, Zone B), so knowing your zone helps you understand when and whether you may need to evacuate. Always confirm with the official state or county evacuation zone map linked above, as boundaries can be updated.
To see evacuation zones for other cities and towns in your state, visit our hurricane evacuation zones in FL page and choose a different town. For a full list of states we cover, see hurricane evacuation zones by state. You can also use our hurricane evacuation zone by ZIP code lookup to quickly find your zone by ZIP code.
Storm surge—water driven ashore by a hurricane—is one of the greatest threats to life and property in coastal and low-lying areas. Evacuation zones are drawn using elevation, historical surge data, and flood models so that the most vulnerable areas are identified in advance. If you are in a higher-risk zone, having an evacuation plan and a go-kit ready can save critical time when an order is issued. This hurricane evacuation zone lookup gives you a clear starting point so you can plan ahead and stay informed.
Hurricane preparedness goes beyond knowing your zone. It includes having an evacuation route, a family communication plan, emergency supplies (water, food, medications, important documents), and a plan for pets. The hurricane supplies list on this page is a good basis for a go-kit. We also recommend signing up for local emergency alerts and following your state and county emergency management offices for the latest evacuation zone information and orders.
The primary evacuation zone shown at the top of this page is derived from the same type of data that state and local emergency managers use. The map on this site helps you see where Ponce de Leon, St. Petersburg, Florida sits in relation to zone boundaries. For the most authoritative and up-to-date boundaries, use the official “know your zone” or evacuation zone map link provided above; we link to it so you can verify your zone before and during hurricane season.
If you need to look up another address or town, return to our state evacuation zone page for FL to choose a different city or town, or go to our main hurricane evacuation zones by state page to switch states. Our ZIP code evacuation zone lookup is another way to quickly find hurricane evacuation zone information by ZIP code across the regions we support.
When a hurricane or tropical storm threatens, follow the guidance of your local emergency management office and the National Weather Service. Evacuation orders are issued based on the specific storm track and intensity, so your zone is a guide—not a substitute for official instructions. By using this site to find your evacuation zone and prepare in advance, you give yourself and your family a better chance of staying safe when the next storm approaches.