Cinco Bayou, Florida, given its coastal location and relatively low-lying topography, is highly susceptible to hurricanes and associated storm surges, flooding, and destructive winds. The entire town is only around 4 to 5 feet above sea level, which puts it at an additional risk for high surge levels, particularly in large storm events. Cinco Bayou's proximity to the larger body of water of Choctawhatchee Bay also promotes the likelihood of storm surge flooding. In the past, hurricanes have resulted in substantial structural damage, downed utilities, and disruptions in transportation and communication lines in this area. In terms of historical storm impacts, Cinco Bayou has experienced several major storms over the past 30 years including Hurricane Opal in 1995 and Hurricane Michael in 2018. Hurricane Opal came ashore as a Category 3, bringing major storm surge and flooding. Meanwhile, Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 at its peak, resulted in billions of dollars in damage in the wider region, although Cinco Bayou avoided the worst of the storm. Flooding from both direct rainfall and storm surge remains the most pressing threat during a hurricane event, often resulting in the greatest damage and loss of life. It is vital for local residents to take hurricane warnings seriously and have evacuation plans in place particularly given the town's vulnerabilities.