County: Hillsborough
ZIP Codes: 33626, 33556, 33558
Keystone, located in Florida, is an inland town that doesn't directly face the threat of storm surge, a prominent risk faced by coastal towns during hurricanes due to its distance from the coast. However, it is vulnerable to severe rainfall which could lead to flash floods and rising water levels in nearby water bodies. Thankfully, because of its modestly elevated terrain compared to many other Florida areas, it is somewhat sheltered from extensive flood impacts. However, even with elevation, substantial rainfall from a hurricane or tropical storm can cause localized flood issues due to poor drainage or the substantial amount of water overwhelming local water management efforts. In considering historical hurricanes, we cannot ignore the far-reaching impacts of significant storms like Hurricane Irma in 2017. Although Keystone was not directly along the hurricane's path, it was still affected by Irma's enormous size and power, mainly facing damaging winds and heavy rain. Over the past 30 years, there have been numerous such hurricanes that have made landfall in Florida and caused substantial rainfall in Keystone, resulting in some flooding. The town should consider the potential for power outages, heavy winds, and substantial rainfall leading to flooding when preparing for future hurricanes. While major hurricanes directly hitting Keystone are statistically less likely, the town is still susceptible to the effects of hurricanes passing nearby or making landfall on the Florida coastline.