Sanibel, Florida, is quite vulnerable to hurricanes and floods given that it is a barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Florida, effectively at sea level, and notorious for its historical susceptibility to flooding. The town's low elevation and direct location on the Gulf Coast present significant risks for storm surge, especially during high tide, which can cause severe flooding and property damage. Any substantial hurricane could directly impact Sanibel with intense wind, precipitations, as well as storm surge, potentially leading to power outages, disruptions in water supply, and impairments to infrastructure. Over the past 30 years, several major storms have imparted significant impacts in the Sanibel area. These include Hurricane Charley in 2004, which was a Category 4 hurricane responsible for substantial flooding, damage, and loss of life across the region. More recently, Hurricane Irma in 2017 caused extensive flooding and evacuation orders for much of the island. Historical pattern of tropical storms and hurricanes suggests that the risk for such events for Sanibel is high, a fact that should be taken into consideration for future city planning and emergency preparedness measures.