FL

Storm restoration across Martin County

Martin County sits on Florida's Treasure Coast with Atlantic-facing barrier islands on Hutchinson Island and the St. Lucie Inlet, making it directly vulnerable to hurricane storm surge - the greatest recorded life-safety threat in the county. The barrier island communities face surge inundation estimates up to 6 feet in the highest-risk coastal evacuation zones, with some inland low-lying zones rated for up to 13-16 feet under major storm scenarios. The county suffered back-to-back direct landfalls from Category 2 Hurricane Frances and Category 3 Hurricane Jeanne in September 2004, both striking near the Stuart/Hutchinson Island coastline within three weeks of each other and triggering major federal flood-map revisions for the region. Hurricane Irma in 2017 produced wind gusts near 100 mph on Hutchinson Island, downed 95 power lines, and caused significant inland flooding that closed 17 roads; properties away from the coast also face flooding risk from the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and nearby drainage basins during and after tropical events.