County: Flagler
ZIP Codes: 32164, 32137, 32135, 32142, 32143
Palm Coast, Florida is located quite close to the Atlantic Coast, which inherently exposes the city to a higher risk of hurricanes and tropical storms. The city's near sea-level elevation also leaves it prone to storm surge flooding during tropical cyclone events. Indeed, Palm Coast has a history of flooding from significant precipitation events and hurricanes, particularly during high tide periods when storm surge is often the most damaging. Furthermore, potential hurricane impacts for Palm Coast include high wind speeds, which can lead to structural damage to buildings and infrastructure, as well as causing power outages. Severe rainfall may also lead to localized flooding, especially in low-lying areas of the city. Over the last 30 years, several powerful hurricanes and tropical storms have affected Palm Coast. The most notable of these is perhaps Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which caused substantial damage along the Florida Coast. Additionally, in 2017, Hurricane Irma led to extensive flooding in Palm Coast and surrounding areas. It's also worth noting that the flood risk is likely to become more significant in the future due to sea level rise associated with climate change. Therefore, regular assessments of infrastructure resilience, implementation of flood mitigation strategies, and an awareness of evacuation routes and procedures are paramount considerations for Palm Coast's residents and local agencies.