County: Hernando
ZIP Codes: 34601
North Brooksville, Florida, is located approximately 10 miles inland from Florida's Gulf Coast – a proximity that elevates its hurricane threat. The town's low elevation, typically less than 30 feet above sea level, combined with a high water table tends to increase susceptibility to flooding during major storm events. With hurricanes often generating torrential rain, North Brooksville could experience significant flooding, especially in low-lying areas and places near bodies of water. It's crucial to highlight that strong winds associated with hurricanes can cause widespread damage to homes and infrastructure, and could lead to extended power outages. Over the past 30 years, North Brooksville has been affected by several major hurricanes and resulting floods. The most significant among these would be Hurricane Elena in 1985, which caused extensive flooding in the area. More recently, the town faced the perils of Hurricane Irma in 2017 which brushed the west coast of Florida while intensifying to a Category 4 storm. The impacts from Irma's heavy rainfall resulted in acute flooding concern in the town. In planning for future hurricane threats, it is imperative for North Brooksville to take these historical events into account, while also preparing for the increased intensity and frequency of hurricanes linked to climate change.