Florida Gulf Coast University, located in Fort Myers, is in a vulnerable position considering potential hurricane impacts. The university's location in the southwestern part of the state and only around 10 miles from the coast inherently subjects it to hurricane threats, notably storm surges, wind damage, and heavy rainfall events that can cause flooding. As the school's elevation is rather low, generally sitting less than 30 feet above sea level, flooding risk is amplified. Also, because of the dense development and heavy concentration of students, this could impede evacuations, rescues, and recovery. In the past 30 years, the most significant hurricane to impact the university was Hurricane Irma in 2017, which resulted in significant wind damage and flooding around the campus. The preparatory and recovery costs for this storm alone were substantial and disrupted the academic schedule for a period of time. Hurricane Charley in 2004, although mainly affecting Charlotte County to the North, also brought some level of impact, notably with power outages and minor flooding. As climate change continues to contribute to sea level rise and potentially more powerful storms, the university must be prepared for the impacts of future hurricanes and flooding events.