Pine Island, Florida, being a coastal community, faces significant threat during the Atlantic hurricane season. It is directly on the coast, has an average elevation of just 3 feet above sea level, and thus has a significant risk of storm surges and flooding. During a raging hurricane, storm surge acts akin to a tsunami, rushing inland and inundating entire communities, which is a significant risk for a low-lying area like Pine Island. Flooding can be amplified even further with heavy rainfall associated with hurricanes, meaning that even if Pine Island is not directly hit by the hurricane's eye, it can still incur substantial flood damage. In historical context, Pine Island has seen its fair share of extreme weather systems. For example, Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 hurricane, roared across Pine Island in 2004 leaving a path of destruction that included massive property damage and flooding. More recently, in 2017, Hurricane Irma, another devastating Category 4 storm, passed directly over Pine Island, showing the risks are ongoing and not diminishing. Given the increasing intensity of storms, coupled with factors like sea-level rise linked to global warming, it's likely that Pine Island will face an increasing threat from hurricanes in the coming years. Therefore, it is crucial for the community to remain vigilant and prepared, sticking to diligent set-up of storm preparations and evacuating early in the event of severe storms.