County: Caroline
ZIP Codes: 22427, 22428
Bowling Green, Florida, while not located directly along the Florida coastline, can still be substantially impacted by hurricanes due to its geographic location in the state. Hurricanes can carry strong winds, torrential rainfall, and severe thunderstorms well inland, posing threats to communities deep in the peninsula like Bowling Green. This town is approximately 40 miles from the Gulf coast, putting it at risk from hurricanes that make landfall on the west coast of Florida, particularly those tracking north from the Caribbean or making a cross-peninsula move from the Atlantic. Comparatively, its proximity to the coastline is close enough to deal with significant impacts but distant enough to avoid storm surges, which typically only affect immediate coastal areas. In terms of elevation, Bowling Green stands at 39 meters above sea level, significantly mitigating the risk of storm surge-related flooding. However, heavy rainfall from hurricane can still precipitate inland flooding, a risk heightened by the town's history of flooding events. In 2004, the town experienced the effects of three significant hurricanes, namely Charley, Frances, and Jeanne, which caused extraordinary rainfall, strong winds, and serious flooding. More recently, in 2017, Hurricane Irma also triggered extensive flooding in the area, indicating a continuing risk. Locals should still remain vigilant and prepared during hurricane season, as even though the flooding might not be as immediate as storm surge, the rainfall from a slow-moving or stalling tropical system can also lead to devastating effects.