2010 Storm Season Important Information

Florida weather has a lot of positives; temperate climate, ocean breezes and clear skies. But ask anyone about Florida weather and a discussion of hurricanes is sure to arise. So you will naturally want to know about the effect hurricanes have on the Flagler County area. Due to its unique geographic location on the Florida peninsula, the Flagler County are is actually the least hurricane-prone coastal area in the state, an assertion confirmed by examining the geography of the area and the historical occurrences of hurricanes dating back to the late 1800’s.  Landfall History Map

A map of the eastern United States shows that the eastern coastline of Florida from Miami to Jacksonville tracks in a northwesterly direction. Then to the north, the coastlines of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina turn back to the northeast. This indentation of the continent is what helps to “protect” Northeast Florida from hurricanes as they travel the Gulfstream up the east coast of the United States.

Hurricanes moving up the east coast generally follow the path of the Gulfstream, a warm current of water that follows the coastline from the Caribbean northward. When compared to Miami, which is only 3 miles west of the Gulfstream, it becomes obvious why hurricanes pose a much higher threat to the southern portions of Florida and why our area has historically been spared.