Marathon, Florida, is located in the middle of the Florida Keys, making it particularly vulnerable to hurricanes. It is entirely coastal, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Most of the area is less than 10 feet above sea level, putting it at significant risk for storm surges, especially during high tide. Flooding is a well-known threat to Marathon due to its low elevation and proximity to the ocean. In the last 30 years, Marathon has indeed suffered serious hurricane impacts. Some of the significant ones include Hurricane Georges in 1998, Hurricane Rita in 2005, and Hurricane Irma in 2017. Hurricane Irma, a category 4 storm at landfall, was especially destructive, causing catastrophic damage in the city. More recently, Hurricane Eta in November 2020 caused flooding in Marathon. Considering the past storm impacts and the town’s geographical vulnerability, it remains crucial to issue timely and accurate warnings for future hurricanes, ensuring that the residents evacuate or take necessary precautions.