Port Charlotte, Florida, despite being situated a bit inland, is vulnerable to the impacts of hurricanes primarily due to its proximity to the coastline. The town sits by the Charlotte Harbor and is linked directly to the open Gulf of Mexico, making it particularly susceptible to storm surges caused by hurricanes and tropical weather systems. Port Charlotte is also flat, with much of the region near sea level, which significantly increases its flood risk. This geographical location coupled with the heavy amount of rainfall that hurricanes can bring often results in severe water accumulation and subsequent flooding. Additionally, as it is filled with canals and estuaries, these water bodies can exacerbate local flooding and storm surge levels. Looking at the historical data, Port Charlotte has experienced the devastating impacts of major hurricanes in the past 30 years. The most catastrophic being Hurricane Charley in 2004, which was a category 4 storm. Charley caused major structural damage in the town as well as severe flooding. The hurricane altered the landscape of the city, demonstrating how even developments relatively inland can still face severe impacts. Therefore, residents of Port Charlotte must always be prepared for potential hurricanes, mindful of the resulting storm surge, high winds, and heavy rainfall which could cause significant property damage and pose a risk to personal safety.