Arcadia, Florida, lies approximately 25 miles from the coast, but despite this inland location, it remains vulnerable to tropical systems. Despite the town's average elevation being around 50 feet, which does somewhat mitigate the risk of storm surge, the area is not entirely immune to flooding, particularly due to torrential hurricane rainbands. Flash floods and river overflows, for example, may occur under extreme conditions and residents should be prepared. Being inland does provide a degree of buffer against direct landfall impacts like storm surge and higher wind speeds which are commonly experienced at the coast, but potential for wind damage, particularly to structures not built to withstand such force, still exists. Historically, Arcadia has seen considerable hurricane activity. A prime example of this was in 2004 when the town was directly hit by Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 storm. This hurricane caused major damage due to severe wind gusts. In more recent history, Hurricane Irma in 2017 brought extensive rainfall to the region, causing extensive flooding. Therefore, while Arcadia's inland location may offer some protection, the town still faces significant hurricane-related threats, including high winds, extreme rainfall, and potentially catastrophic flooding. These risks need to be factored into emergency preparedness and disaster mitigation plans.