County: Jefferson
ZIP Codes: 32344, 32337
Lloyd, Florida, situated roughly 20 miles inland and at an elevation of around 154 ft, is not immune to the direct impacts of hurricanes despite its distance from the coast. The primary environmental concerns for Lloyd during hurricane events are typically the high wind speeds and heavy rainfall, which can lead to significant damage to strong structures or uproot trees, creating potentially dangerous debris. Furthermore, the intense rainfall associated with these storms can result in flash flooding, causing damage to structures and presenting danger to residents. Although Lloyd is not located on the immediate coastline, storm surge and tidal flooding are less of a direct concern than for coastal communities, but still have potential to affect nearby regions. Over the past 30 years, Lloyd has experienced several significant storm events, though not always directly. One of the most destructive hurricanes to affect the general region was Hurricane Michael in 2018, which brought widespread destruction displacing residents and damaging homes, though its direct impact on Lloyd was less severe. Earlier, in 1994, Tropical Storm Alberto impacted Lloyd with its heavy rainfall which caused flooding for a large part of north Florida, resulting in significant property damage and fatalities in the region. As we move into the future, climate change and elevated sea levels could intensify storm surge, and rising temperatures are expected to create more intense hurricanes. Consequently, the risks to Lloyd may increase, and adaptive measures should be considered.