County: Indian River
ZIP Codes: 32963
Indian River Shores, Florida, located on a barrier island along the eastern coastline, is susceptible to significant impacts from tropical systems, including hurricanes. This region is a major hazard area with regards to storm surge flooding during hurricane conditions, considering its proximity to the ocean and low elevation. Stream and river flooding is also a concern during periods of heavy rainfall associated with tropical systems, as the Indian River Lagoon that borders the town could overflow. The risk of severe damage from high wind speeds is also inherent due to the town's coastal position. There have been several major hurricanes that have impacted Indian River Shores over the past 30 years. One of the most notable is Hurricane Jeanne in 2004, which hit the Florida coast as a Category 3 hurricane and caused significant wind and water damage. More recently, Hurricane Irma in 2017 passed just west of the area, bringing destructive winds, rainfall, and storm surge to Indian River Shores. This level of hurricane activity suggests that the town should always have plans in place for evacuation and flood prevention, and residents should remain vigilant during the hurricane season.