County: Bay
ZIP Codes: 32413
Laguna Beach, Florida, being a coastal town located on the Gulf of Mexico, is highly susceptible to the dangers posed by hurricanes and tropical storms. The town's proximity to the coast with an elevation near sea level inherently involves risks associated with storm surge and flooding, which can be highly destructive. During any major storm events, high winds are another significant concern as they can cause structural damage to buildings and homes.
Most notably in recent history, the town was significantly impacted by Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 hurricane that made landfall in the Florida Panhandle in October 2018. This hurricane led to catastrophic damage due to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, high-speed winds, and severe storm surges. The lessons from this event underline the need for sustained preparedness for hurricanes, particularly in hurricane-prone areas like Laguna Beach. Additionally, it would be prudent for residents to maintain a keen awareness of flood risk, as climate change and sea-level rise could potentially increase the flood risk for low-lying areas in the years to come.