County: Orange
ZIP Codes: 32830
Lake Buena Vista, Florida, although situated inland, can certainly face significant hurricane threats due to its geographical location in central Florida. The town, despite being approximately 60 miles from both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, can fall prey to harsh wind gusts, heavy rain, and possible tornadoes from tropical systems, including hurricanes. Its flat topography and minor elevation, combined with its extensive network of bodies of water, raises the threat of localized flooding significantly, especially during heavy rainfalls associated with tropical storms and hurricanes. In the past 30 years, significant hurricane-related events have impacted Lake Buena Vista, including Hurricane Charley in 2004 — a Category 4 storm which caused severe damage due to high winds and intense rainfall. More recently, Hurricane Irma in 2017 also led to power outages, downed trees, and flooding issues. Regardless of the storm's intensity at landfall, the extensive rainfall these systems carry can cause widespread flooding, emphasizing the need for comprehensive flood mitigation strategies, strong community planning, and preparedness for severe weather situations. Lake Buena Vista, being not too far from the coasts, still remains within a perilous zone of potential hurricane impacts and thus, constant vigilance is necessary, especially during the Atlantic hurricane season.