County: Polk
ZIP Codes: 33812, 33813, 33830, 33846



Highland City, Florida is located more than 20 miles away from the West Coast of the Florida peninsula, which would initially appear to decrease its hurricane landfall risk. However, the flat topography of Florida means that hurricanes can maintain their strength or even gain intensity as they traverse the peninsula. Given Highland City's central location, it is equally susceptible to hurricanes from either coast. The town's elevation of less than 200 feet above sea level does present an increased risk for freshwater flooding, particularly inundation from heavy rain, which is a common feature of tropical cyclones. Historically, Highland City's risk of severe flooding has been moderate. However, the town has been affected by significant hurricanes in the past 30 years, such as Hurricane Irma in 2017 which led to a substantial flooding event due to its large size, slow speed, and the saturation of regional waterways. Prior, in 2004, the city had to endure three major hurricanes - Charley, Frances, and Jeanne - all of which caused extensive wind and water damage. With the potential for more intense and wetter hurricanes in the future due to climate change, careful consideration on the town's infrastructure and emergency planning would be an essential step to mitigate future storm impacts.






This page shows the hurricane evacuation zone for Highland City, Florida, based on official state and local data. Your evacuation zone indicates your area’s risk from storm surge and flooding during a hurricane or tropical storm. When officials issue evacuation orders, they often do so by zone (e.g., Zone A, Zone B), so knowing your zone helps you understand when and whether you may need to evacuate. Always confirm with the official state or county evacuation zone map linked above, as boundaries can be updated.
To see evacuation zones for other cities and towns in your state, visit our hurricane evacuation zones in FL page and choose a different town. For a full list of states we cover, see hurricane evacuation zones by state. You can also use our hurricane evacuation zone by ZIP code lookup to quickly find your zone by ZIP code.
Storm surge—water driven ashore by a hurricane—is one of the greatest threats to life and property in coastal and low-lying areas. Evacuation zones are drawn using elevation, historical surge data, and flood models so that the most vulnerable areas are identified in advance. If you are in a higher-risk zone, having an evacuation plan and a go-kit ready can save critical time when an order is issued. This hurricane evacuation zone lookup gives you a clear starting point so you can plan ahead and stay informed.
Hurricane preparedness goes beyond knowing your zone. It includes having an evacuation route, a family communication plan, emergency supplies (water, food, medications, important documents), and a plan for pets. The hurricane supplies list on this page is a good basis for a go-kit. We also recommend signing up for local emergency alerts and following your state and county emergency management offices for the latest evacuation zone information and orders.
The primary evacuation zone shown at the top of this page is derived from the same type of data that state and local emergency managers use. The map on this site helps you see where Highland City, Florida sits in relation to zone boundaries. For the most authoritative and up-to-date boundaries, use the official “know your zone” or evacuation zone map link provided above; we link to it so you can verify your zone before and during hurricane season.
If you need to look up another address or town, return to our state evacuation zone page for FL to choose a different city or town, or go to our main hurricane evacuation zones by state page to switch states. Our ZIP code evacuation zone lookup is another way to quickly find hurricane evacuation zone information by ZIP code across the regions we support.
When a hurricane or tropical storm threatens, follow the guidance of your local emergency management office and the National Weather Service. Evacuation orders are issued based on the specific storm track and intensity, so your zone is a guide—not a substitute for official instructions. By using this site to find your evacuation zone and prepare in advance, you give yourself and your family a better chance of staying safe when the next storm approaches.