County: Brevard
ZIP Codes: 32922, 32926
Cocoa West, Florida, despite its inland location relative to the Atlantic coastline, is very susceptible to hurricanes and their associated impacts. Due to the flat and low-lying nature of the Florida landscape, Cocoa West is prone to flooding from heavy rainfall events associated with tropical storm systems, which can lead to significant property damage and displacement of residents. Additionally, high winds from hurricanes can cause extensive damage to buildings, power lines, and trees, leading to widespread power outages. Storm surge is less of a direct threat to Cocoa West due to its distance from the coast, but residents should still be mindful of the potential for rising waters in nearby rivers and water bodies. In terms of historical storms, Hurricane Irma in 2017 was a particularly damaging event for Cocoa West. Irma, a category 4 hurricane, produced significant flooding and wind damage in the Cocoa West vicinity. Other major hurricanes that have impacted Cocoa West include Hurricane Jeanne and Hurricane Frances in 2004. Both were category 3 storms at landfall and caused substantial damage to the area. Overall, Cocoa West residents need to have a hurricane preparedness plan in place due to the town's vulnerability to these powerful storms.