Charlotte County was ground zero for Hurricane Ian's catastrophic landfall in September 2022. Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte took a direct Category 4 hit with storm surge exceeding 12 feet in some areas. The county sustained billions in damage and is considered one of the most hurricane-vulnerable counties on the Gulf Coast due to its low elevation and coastal geometry.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 9 / 10 Critical Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Hurricane / Storm Surge |
| Secondary Hazard | Flooding |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Zone VE (Critical Risk) |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 58 |
| Last Major Event | Hurricane Ian (2022) |
| Event Frequency | Major event every 3–5 years |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (941) 833-4000 |
| Emergency Shelters | 16 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-75 North, US-41 North, SR-776 East |
// County Profile
| County | Charlotte County FL |
| State | Florida (FL) |
| Population | 185,978 |
| Area | 694 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | Zone VE (Critical Risk) |
// Other Florida Counties
Monroe County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
10/10
Critical
Miami-Dade County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Pinellas County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Bay County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Lee County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Broward County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
8/10
High