County: Escambia
ZIP Codes: 32503, 32505, 32520
The town of Brent, Florida, lies just a few miles inland from the Gulf Coast which makes it particularly susceptible to hurricane threats. Being a relatively flat region with an average elevation of roughly 52 ft, it runs the risk of wind damage, torrential rains, and consequent severe flooding during hurricane events. It is observed that coastal storm surges often extend miles inland dubbing low lying areas like Brent as flood-prone zones even though they are technically inland. Moreover, the flat terrain is unable to retard water runoff, increasing the chances of inland flooding. Other impacts such as power outages, tree damage, and infrastructure destruction also could occur due to high-speed hurricane winds. In the context of major historical storms, Brent was notably impacted by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and more recently by Hurricane Sally in 2020, which both brought widespread flooding and wind damage to the area. Prior to that, the region was also affected by Hurricane Erin in 1995 and 2012's Hurricane Isaac. The danger of hurricanes is further magnified when we consider the increasing trend of storm intensity and frequency possibly due to climate change in recent years. Hence, the residents of Brent should make comprehensive preparations for hurricane seasons considering the potential impacts and the town's vulnerability to hurricanes and floods, in spite of its somewhat inland location.