County: Hillsborough
ZIP Codes: 33624, 33548, 33558
Northdale, Florida, is located just over 15 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. For locations such as these, wind damage and flooding from heavy rain tend to be the primary threats during hurricane events. The town's elevation of about 50 feet above sea level reduces its vulnerability to storm surge flooding, but localized flooding from intense rainfall is a possibility given the essentially flat terrain of the region. The lack of a significant gradient could impede the flow of runoff, increasing the risk of flash flooding during and after a hurricane. Downed trees and power outages are potential outcomes of strong wind gusts, which remain a widespread risk even for inland areas during a hurricane. Historically, Northdale has been impacted by several significant storms. Notable among these was Hurricane Jeanne in 2004, whose driving rains led to local flooding. More recently, in 2017, Hurricane Irma passed by with the eye of the storm approximately 100 miles to the east, but its large size ensured Northdale was still within the affected area. While not directly coastal, its position inland from the Gulf means Northdale can still be greatly affected by large storm systems, and preparation for such events, including potential evacuation strategies, should be taken seriously.