County: Leon
ZIP Codes: 32317
Chaires, Florida, being an inland location about 20 miles away from the coast, is sheltered from primary storm surge impacts when hurricanes make landfall. However, its flat topography with an average elevation of around 90 feet does make it susceptible to high intensity rainfall and flash flooding during hurricanes. Extreme wind events could also be an issue, causing damage to properties and power lines, leading to widespread power outages. These effects can be exacerbated if the ground is already saturated from previous rain events. Over the past 30 years, Chaires has had its share of notable storm impacts. In 1985, Hurricane Kate, being the most significant one to directly strike this area, resulted in significant damage due to high wind speeds, and heavy rainfall led to localized flooding. Furthermore, hurricanes like Hermine (2016) and Michael (2018) affected the town, but they primarily impacted areas closer to the coastline. Still, these storms produced heavy rainfall over Chaires, leading to temporary flooding situations. Evacuation may not be as much of a necessity for Chaires as it may be for other more coastal locations in Florida, but residents should still be prepared for the possibility of power outages, potential property damage from high wind speeds, and localized flooding events.