Clearwater, Florida is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms due to its location on the state's Gulf Coast. With essentially zero elevation above sea level, this means there is an immediate risk of storm surge flooding with any landfalling hurricane. Strong storm systems off the Gulf of Mexico could also exacerbate this risk. Furthermore, Clearwater’s aging infrastructure could allow heavy rainfall to overwhelm the city’s drainage systems, leading to flash flooding in heavy precipitation events. Coupled with a high water table and typical rainfall from these events, the potential for widespread flooding is high. In terms of previously recorded storms affecting Clearwater, the city experienced severe hurricanes like Hurricane Catherina in 1994 and Hurricane Ivan in 2004. However, Hurricane Irma in 2017 is probably the most impactful event in recent memory. The storm caused considerable damage to structures and facilities in Clearwater and led to widespread power outages. The biggest concern in the immediate future for Clearwater is the increasing intensity and frequency of such storms due to climate change as predicted by climate scientists. This means that local authorities should prioritize resilience planning, with a focus on enhancing flood protection infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.