County: Santa Rosa
ZIP Codes: 32583
East Milton, Florida, situated about 15 miles from the coastline, is subject to significant hurricane threats due to its geographical location in the northern part of the state. Even though it's somewhat removed from the immediate coast, it can still experience powerful storm surges, particularly when hurricanes make landfall on the near coast. Furthermore, its relatively low elevation increases its vulnerability to flooding from heavy rains associated with tropical systems. The town's history of major floods supports this concern, making flooding one of the highest risk factors during hurricane events. Over the past 30 years, East Milton has been directly or indirectly affected by several major hurricanes and floods, including Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Sally in 2020. Hurricane Ivan, a Category 3 storm, caused considerable flooding and wind damage, whereas Hurricane Sally, also a Category 2 at nearby landfall, brought catastrophic flooding and even a small tornado outbreak. These historical events underscore the threat hurricanes pose to this community, not just from wind and rain, but from secondary factors such as tornadoes spawned by these storms. Given these considerations, it's clear that residents of East Milton need to maintain a high level of preparedness during hurricane season.