Taylor County on Florida's Big Bend Gulf Coast was struck by Hurricane Idalia in August 2023 — one of the most powerful storms to hit the Big Bend region in decades. The low-lying Big Bend coastline faces serious storm surge risk with very limited natural protection. The county is sparsely populated making emergency coordination across a large rural area challenging. The Suwannee and Fenholloway Rivers create inland flooding risk.
// 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 | 6 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Hurricane / Storm Surge |
| Secondary Hazard | Tornado |
| FEMA Flood Zone | High |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 8 |
| Last Major Event | Idalia 2023 |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (850) 838-3500 |
| Emergency Shelters | 2 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | US-98 US-19 FL-27 |
// County Profile
| County | Taylor County FL |
| State | Florida (FL) |
| Population | 21 |
| Area | 1,043 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | High |
// 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
Charlotte County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical