County: Orange
ZIP Codes: 34761
Ocoee, Florida, despite being approximately 30 miles inland from the Atlantic coast, is not immune to the hazards of hurricanes. Due to its primarily flat terrain and low elevation, there is a significant risk for flooding during heavy rainfall events, such as those typically associated with hurricanes. Historically, Ocoee has been susceptible to flooding, particularly for properties close to bodies of water and low-lying areas, this is emphasized during hurricane season. Additionally, the risk of high wind speeds and ensuing damage from hurricanes is noteworthy - damage to buildings, power lines, and trees could severely disrupt daily life and result in property damage, power outages, or even bodily harm. Over the past 30 years, Ocoee has faced major impacts from several hurricanes such as Hurricane Charley in 2004 and Irma in 2017. Hurricane Charley, though it made landfall on the Gulf Coast, crossed into Central Florida and brought winds up to 105 mph to the area, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure. More recently, Hurricane Irma affected the Ocoee area with large amounts of rainfall, leading to widespread flooding, power outages, and tree damage. As climate prediction models suggest an increase in hurricane frequency and intensity in the coming decades, continued vigilance regarding hurricane preparedness and response is crucial for the Ocoee area.