Crystal Lake, Florida, located in Polk County, is relatively far inland and is not directly on the coast, so the community isn't subject to the most severe hurricane effects, like storm surges. Nonetheless, the town's proximity to numerous bodies of water, like Crystal Lake itself and the countless other lakes and ponds in the vicinity, means that heavy rainfall from a hurricane could potentially lead to flooding. The town's elevation varies slightly but generally sits between 120 and 130 feet above sea level, which offers a level of protection against flooding compared to the more low-lying areas in the state. However, with a hurricane's powerful winds, any large or weakly-rooted trees present could pose a risk of falling and causing damage. Historically, Crystal Lake has been impacted by several major hurricanes and floods in the last 30 years. Hurricanes Charley and Jeanne in 2004 brought extensive wind and rain, causing power outages and property damage that took weeks to repair. Hurricane Irma in 2017 also affected the area significantly, especially with high wind speeds, persistent rains, and the consequent flooding. Despite being inland, the continuous rainfall these hurricanes carried caused problems with localized flooding, as the volume of rain was too heavy for natural and man-made drainage systems to cope with effectively. This highlights the importance of preparedness measures, not only against the initial impacts of hurricanes but also their aftereffects like flooding, which can cause extensive water damage.