County: Polk
ZIP Codes: 33813, 33811, 33807
Medulla, Florida, situated about 50 miles inland from the Gulf coast, is moderately susceptible to hurricanes. While its distance from the coast usually means the hurricane's intensity may diminish before reaching Medulla, it by no means excludes the area from experiencing destructive winds, torrential rains, or tornados, which are often by-products of hurricane systems. The town's elevation is reasonably flat at around 130-140 feet above sea level, thus there is a favorable risk of flooding during heavy rain episodes. Medulla's infrastructure may strain under these conditions, with consequential power outages and damage to unsecured or vulnerable structures. In the last 30 years, Medulla has been affected by some major tropical cyclones. Notably, in 2004, the town was impacted by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne, and in 2017 by Hurricane Irma. These hurricanes brought significant rainfall that led to flooding, and gale-force winds caused property damage. The most severe effects were from Hurricane Irma, which caused widespread power outages and several days of disruptions. Interestingly, Medulla's central location in the state means that Atlantic-based storms may still impact the region, requiring residents and authorities to be adequately prepared for potential hurricane threats from both the east and west coasts.