Bartow, Florida, while not a coastal town, is still susceptible to potential hurricane impacts owing to its relative proximity to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Even if a hurricane does not make a direct landfall near Bartow, powerful storms can still cause significant wind damage and contribute towards heavy rainfall in the area. Precipitation, in turn, can lead to localized flooding, particularly how Bartow lies in the plateau region of Florida, and has a relatively low elevation at 121 feet above sea level. Structures within Bartow must therefore be able to bear up against considerable wind stress, while individuals and organizations should make provisions for flooding. Bartow's hurricane history corroborates this threat. In 2004, for instance, Hurricane Charley passed directly over Bartow as a Category 2 storm, causing considerable property damage. Another major incident within the last 30 years is the damage caused by the 1993 Storm of the Century (also known as the '93 Superstorm) which, while not a hurricane, brought severe wind and flooding damage through most of Florida. While historically, Bartow doesn't carry a large risk for severe flooding comparable to coastal regions, these past incidents indicate the need of awareness for the potential impacts associated with hurricanes, tropical storms and even extratropical weather events. Regardless of Bartow’s inland location, the town is not immune to potential destructive impacts from hurricanes and other major storms.