County: Pinellas
ZIP Codes: 33770
Belleair Bluffs, located on Florida's west coast on the Gulf of Mexico, is particularly susceptible to hurricane threats due to its coastal positioning and relatively lower elevation. Given its geographical position, the city faces a significant risk of storm surge floods, one of the deadliest components of a hurricane. Additionally, being relatively lower in elevation, floodwaters can easily accumulate and cause extensive damage. As it's a city in Pinellas County, Belleair Bluffs is also at risk for heavy rainfall and intense winds which characterize any tropical cyclone that may cross the region. Historically, Belleair Bluffs has had a number of notable encounters with hurricanes. The passage of Hurricane Irma in 2017 brought significant rainfall to the area. While the eye of the hurricane did not pass directly over the town, the impacts were substantial, representing one of the major historic events of the last 30 years. In 2004, Hurricane Frances also had effects on the area. Although Belleair Bluffs has not experienced any catastrophic hurricanes recently, its location and geographical characteristics make it a candidate for significant hurricane impacts in the future. Thus, robust emergency preparedness and evacuation planning efforts remain of utmost importance.