County: Wakulla
ZIP Codes: 32355
St. Marks, Florida, is a town significantly vulnerable to hurricanes and associated flooding due to its proximity to the coast; it's located along the St. Marks River and close to Apalachee Bay, amplifying its exposure to storm surges. Besides, its relatively low elevation typically exacerbates the potential for flood damage. Excessive rainfall can also trigger flooding issues in and around low-lying areas of the town. Wind damage is another considerable hurricane-related element, as it can lead to the destruction of properties, especially to weak structures or unbraced buildings. Power outages and communication disruption can also result from intense wind speeds associated with these meteorological phenomena. Historically, St. Marks has witnessed a few notable hurricanes that caused significant damage to the area. In 1985, Hurricane Elena passing offshore caused significant storm surge flooding. The town was battered by Hurricane Kate later the same year, which significantly damaged the commercial fishing industry鈥攁 key economic resource. Hurricane Hermine, which made landfall in 2016, resulted in severe flood damage in St. Marks, particularly from the significant storm surge. Hurricane Michael in 2018 did not directly hit St. Marks, but its wide storm surge still led to considerable flooding. Predicting hurricane impacts is always a challenge due to the wide range of possible storm tracks and intensities. However, based on historic experiences and geographical attributes, St. Marks must place a high priority on hurricane preparedness, especially for storm surge and flooding.