County: Pasco
ZIP Codes: 34667, 34674
Hudson, Florida, located on the west coast of the state, is especially vulnerable to hurricanes and the associated dangers of flooding and storm surge due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. While the town's elevation is relatively low (virtually at sea level), its coastal location contributes significantly to its hurricane risk and increases the threat of storm surge, especially during high tide. Hudson's vulnerability is compounded by its history of frequent floods, with notable examples including the Tropical Storm Debby in 2012 and Hurricane Hermine in 2016. In the last 30 years, Hudson has been impacted by numerous major hurricanes, adding to its historical flood risk. The most notable hurricanes include Hurricane Elena in 1985, which caused considerable damage in Pasco County, and more recently, Hurricane Irma in 2017. Despite not making landfall directly in Hudson, Irma's extensive wind field caused significant damage, power outages, and coastal flooding in the Tampa Bay area. In terms of flood risk, Hudson was greatly affected by a flood in 2004 during Hurricane Frances. This event caused significant destruction and resulted in the establishment of strict flood management measures and zoning regulations to mitigate future risks. When considering these factors, any hurricane threats to Hudson should be taken very seriously, with residents urged to have robust evacuation and emergency plans in place.