County: Pasco
ZIP Codes: 34669
Meadow Oaks, located approximately 30 miles from the Gulf Coast, is still highly susceptible to the impacts of tropical weather systems including hurricanes. The key threat owing to hurricanes in this region stands from rain-induced flooding. The town's relatively low elevation (approx. 30 feet above sea level) could lead to the pooling of vast quantities of water, especially during extreme rainfall events associated with hurricanes. Storm surge, a common hurricane attribute, is a lesser concern given Meadow Oaks' distance from the shore, nonetheless, surge impacts downstream may contribute to potential flooding. Additionally, hurricane strength wind gusts can pose significant structural damage to homes, businesses and the local infrastructure. High wind speeds can uproot large trees, lead to power outages, and cause destruction of weak structures in the area. Historically, Meadow Oaks, like much of Florida, has had its share of encounters with severe weather. The town has experienced flooding events associated with heavy rains from tropical systems in the past 30 years. This could be mainly attributed to hurricanes such as Hurricane Elena in 1985, and more recently, Hurricane Irma in 2017, which brought significant rainfall to the area leading to flooding. Furthermore, observations reveal a trend of increased rainfall events, a factor to consider for future storm implications. Residents are advised to follow local forecasts during the hurricane season and develop appropriate safety and evacuation plans.