County: Indian River
ZIP Codes: 32948, 32966
Fellsmere, Florida, located approximately 18 miles from the southeastern coast, is potentially vulnerable to the destructive impacts of hurricanes, especially due to the fact that it is a low-lying town with an average elevation of just 20 feet above sea level. The town's low elevation combined with its proximity to the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean make it highly prone to flooding during hurricane events, particularly during seasons of high rainfall. Surges from the St. Johns River triggered by intense storms could result in floods, permanently damaging property, and disrupting the normal life of this agricultural community. Historically, Fellsmere has faced various hurricane threats over the past thirty years. The most notable hurricane to impact Fellsmere was Hurricane Frances in 2004, which caused significant flash floods and property damage in the area. Just three weeks later, Hurricane Jeanne struck, causing further damage to the already affected region. More recently in 2017, Hurricane Irma brought about heavy rainfall, leading to widespread flooding throughout the town. With climate change, the severity and frequency of storms may increase, bringing about new considerations for disaster preparedness and risk mitigation in Fellsmere.