County: Levy
ZIP Codes: 32696
East Williston, Florida, situated inland relatively far from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, has a decreased risk for direct hurricane landfall compared to coastal towns. However, this does not rule out the potential for impactful weather conditions arising from these storms. Potential hurricane impacts to this area primarily include heavy rainfall leading to flooding, high winds causing property damage, and occasional tornadoes, which are common in the outer rain bands of a hurricane. The town's elevation, while not at sea level, does not provide a significant buffer against these weather risks, with substantial rainfall potentially overwhelming local stormwater systems or nearby bodies of water. Historically, East Williston has been affected by major hurricanes, with the most notable one being Hurricane Irma in 2017, which resulted in significant flooding in Alachua County, where East Williston is located. Additionally, other systems like Tropical Storm Fay in 2008 also brought heavy rainfall and caused flooding in the area. Given this history, although East Williston is not a coastal town, it is still vulnerable to the impacts of hurricanes and tropical systems, particularly flooding, making hazard planning and preparation critically important for residents.