Storm Surge Flooding: Florida’s Growing Threat

As Florida homeowners continue recovering from the catastrophic 2024 hurricane season, many are now seeking storm surge protection to safeguard their properties. The reality is impossible to ignore: hurricane flood damage and storm surge flooding are threatening more homes than ever before.

The numbers from the 2024 Florida hurricanes paint a very devastating story. Hurricane Helene’s storm surge reached up to 15 feet along Florida’s Big Bend coast and pushed dangerous flood waters six feet high as far south as St. Petersburg. Just weeks later, Hurricane Milton’s flooding threatened communities with storm surge predictions of up to 15 feet near Sarasota.

Understanding Different Levels of Storm Surge Protection

Not all Florida homes face the same level of hurricane flood risk. Extreme coastal properties that experienced those devastating 15-foot storm surges face catastrophic risks requiring evacuation as the primary safety strategy. For these beachfront locations, the surge force is simply too overwhelming for residential flood protection systems.

However, inland and moderate risk areas—homes located miles inland or in suburban neighborhoods that typically see 2-6 feet of flooding—can benefit significantly

from professional flood protection systems. These properties, like those affected by Milton’s inland flooding in Plant City, over 20 miles from the coast, are where modern water management and flood protection systems can prevent devastating damage.

How the Flood Smart™ System Protects Your Home

The Flood Smart™ System is engineered specifically for Florida homeowners. As a Florida-based company, Storm Smart has lived through these devastating storms alongside our communities— from Hurricane Ian to the recent back-to-back impacts of Helene and Milton—and we’ve channeled that experience into engineering a flood protection system that works.

Local Engineering for Local Problems: We’ve invested in protecting our communities because we call Florida home too. Every Flood Smart™ System installation reflects our understanding of how Florida hurricanes behave—not just theoretical flood scenarios, but real-world protection based on decades of storm experience.

Are you ready? Contact Storm Smart today for a free consultation to assess your property’s specific flood risk level and learn how the Flood Smart™ System can provide lasting peace of mind.

Sources: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2024-active-year-us-billion-dollar-weather-and-climate-disasters | https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/ | https://coast.noaa.gov/states/fast-facts/hurricane-costs.html