Fruitville, Florida, located in Sarasota County and approximately six miles from the western shoreline, is at a moderate risk from hurricanes and tropical storms. Its distance from the coast can mute some of the direct storm surge impacts seen in coastal communities; however, it is still susceptible to extremely high winds, heavy rainfall, and possible tornadoes spun off from such storms. As per Topography, it's largely flat, with an average elevation of roughly 18 feet. This lack of elevation increases the flood risk, with the possibility of storm water not draining off quickly, causing flooding, especially during powerful hurricanes which can drop several inches of rain per hour. Historically, Fruitville has experienced several notable hurricanes and floods in the last 30 years. In 2004, Hurricane Charley, a category 4 hurricane, passed directly over this area causing widespread damage. Again, in 2017, Hurricane Irma, another category 4 hurricane, brought heavy rains and high winds to Fruitville, causing significant flooding and power outages. Even hurricanes not making landfall in Sarasota like the mighty Hurricane Andrew in 1992, have resulted in significant rainfall in the Fruitville area, causing isolated flooding. Therefore, it’s critical for residents to have evacuation plans in place and to heed warnings from local officials when a storm approaches, as there's evidence of the potential for significant impacts, especially flooding, in this region during major storms.