County: Okaloosa
ZIP Codes: 32544, 32547
Hurlburt Field, being located directly on the coastline in western Florida, is at a high risk for hurricanes and more severe tropical storms. An immediate threat from hurricanes, particularly ones that make a direct landfall, is strong winds that can exceed 100 miles per hour and can cause widespread structural damage. These coastal systems can also result in storm surges and heavy rain, potentially leading to devastating flooding. Being at a low elevation near the Gulf of Mexico, Hurlburt Field should take into account the threat of sea level rise, which may compound with the storm surge exacerbating flooding during a storm. Historically, Hurlburt Field has faced notorious storms like Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and more recently, Hurricane Sally in 2020. Hurricane Ivan, a powerful category 3 hurricane at landfall, caused significant flooding and wind damage in the area. Similarly, Hurricane Sally, although a category 2 storm, its slow-moving nature resulted in heavy sustained rainfall, causing severe flooding. Esto proves that Hurlburt Field, due to its geographical location, has to contend with severe hurricane threats which brings about both immediate impacts (high winds and torrential rainfall) and longer-term challenges (flood recovery and structural repairs). Regular readiness assessments and emergency planning are critical for this region.