County: Pinellas
ZIP Codes: 33702, 33709, 33714, 33784
Lealman, Florida, is situated in Pinellas County, quite close to the western coastline of the state. This makes it extremely susceptible to any tropical storm or hurricane that forms in the Gulf of Mexico. The town is barely above sea level, which contributes to a heightened risk for storm-surge flooding during strong hurricanes. Additionally, heavy rains associated with these weather systems can lead to inland freshwater flooding. As a region with a history of significant flooding from hurricanes, residents of Lealman should continuously be aware of potential threats during hurricane season, taking necessary precautions to safeguard property. Historically, Lealman has felt the impacts of numerous hurricanes, most notably Hurricane Irma in 2017. This Category 4 storm hit the entire state of Florida hard, bringing severe winds and heavy flooding to the area. Irma resulted in major economic and housing damage in Lealman. In 2004, the town was also impacted by Hurricane Charley, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm, causing noticeable wind damage, and Hurricane Frances that caused excessive rainfall and damaging floods. In the face of such high storm risk, it is imperative to consistently maintain evacuation planning and invest in comprehensive flood insurance.