Given its coastal location in southwestern Florida, Palmer Ranch is exposed to the direct impacts of hurricane-related hazards such as high winds, heavy rainfall and, most importantly, storm surge flooding. Considering the flat elevation of the town, which averages only 10 feet above sea level, the risk of flooding from storm surge is significantly amplified. Additionally, the area's shallow water table and poor soil drainage capabilities exacerbate the propensity for rainfall-driven inland flooding. Historically, Palmer Ranch and the larger Sarasota County have had multiple flood events tied to tropical cyclones. One of the significant storms that affected Palmer Ranch was Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Irma, a category 4 storm, led to intensive wind damage and considerable flooding despite the town's distance from the storm's landfall location. In 2010, the area was likewise impacted by intense rainfalls associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine, which resulted in flash flood warnings for the entire county. Although Palmer Ranch has not been hit by a major Category 5 hurricane in the last 30 years, climate models project a potential increase in the severity and frequency of these storms, which should be kept in mind when crafting resilience measures.