County: Miami-Dade
ZIP Codes: 33178, 33172, 33122, 33126, 33166, 33191
Being in close proximity to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Doral, Florida remains highly susceptible to the threats brought by hurricanes. Its coastal location, combined with Florida's overall flat terrain, elevates the risk of storm surges and wind damage, with hurricanes often possessed of extensive reach inland such as Doral. While Doral is not directly on the coast, its distance does not buffer it significantly from major storm impacts, evidenced by the severe effects of past hurricanes like Andrew in 1992 and Irma in 2017. Due to its low-lying elevation and inadequate drainage infrastructure, Doral tends to experience severe flooding during hurricanes, leading to considerable property damage and posing serious hazards to both residents and businesses. Historically, Hurricane Andrew was one of the major hurricanes that had a significant impact on Doral, producing devastating winds up to 165 mph. The town also faced the wrath of Hurricane Irma in 2017 that resulted in widespread flooding, with water levels rising up to knee-level in certain areas. The potential long-term impacts of hurricanes in Doral include damage to infrastructure, power outages, disruption of daily activities, and economic slowdown due to recovery efforts. Furthermore, it is critical for Doral residents to always consider the serious risks tied to hurricanes, including high winds that can cause structural damage, torrential rains that lead to flooding, and the potential for deadly storm surges.