10 Safest Cities in Florida From Hurricanes (2024)
- Palatka
- Lake City
- Leesburg
- Orlando
- Sanford
- Kissimmee
- The Villages
- Ocala
- Gainesville
- Fernandina Beach
1. Palatka
Palatka is widely considered to be the safest city in Florida from hurricanes. The city is located inland near Jacksonville and St. Augustine along the St. Johns River. Palatka may be a small town of 10,558 people, but the city offers great locations near beaches and downtown Jacksonville. Palatka offers many cultural festivals of its own and is home to St. Johns River State College.
2. Lake City
Lake City is also one of the safest cities in Florida from hurricanes. Lake City is located in north Florida and has a population of 12,329. Due to Lake City’s low flooding risk and distance from the ocean, the city is very safe from hurricanes and tropical storms. Lake City is located 60 miles west of Jacksonville, and the city’s top employers are retailers and manufacturing companies.
3. Leesburg
Leesburg is a popular destination for retirees and has a very low risk of being damaged by hurricanes or tropical storms. The city has a population of 20,117 and is located in the central part of Florida, northeast of Orlando. In addition to being safe from hurricanes, Leesburg is at a low risk of flooding. Leesburg is also home to Lake-Sumter State College and Beacon College.
4. Orlando
One of Florida’s top destinations, Orlando ranks as the fourth safest city in the state from hurricanes. The last time a major hurricane hit Orlando was Orlando was almost 20 years ago. The city is home to popular attractions such as SeaWorld, Disney World, Universal Studios, and several other museums and annual conventions. This city of 307,573 has been ranked as a global city with a strong technological sector.
5. Sanford
Sanford is a city in central Florida with low hurricane and flooding risk. Sanford is a small city with a population of 61,051 and is located northeast of Orlando. Popular attractions around Sanford include the Central Florid Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium, and the Annual Oktoberfest. Sanford is connected to the rest of central Florida by commuter rail, making traveling easy.
6. Kissimmee
Kissimmee is another one of the safest cities in Florida from Hurricanes. Kissimmee is a city located 20 miles south of Orlando with a population of 79,226. Like many central Florida cities, Kissimmee is safe from hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding. Kissimmee sits on the northwest shore of Lake Tohopekaliga and is known for its many wildlife sanctuaries. Sites of interest in Kissimmee include the Colonial Estate, the Monument of States, and the Old Town district.
7. The Villages
The Villages is a community located 45 miles northwest of Orlando in Sumter and Mario Counties. This city of 79,077 people has a low risk of hurricanes and flooding. This is mainly because The Villages are located 35 miles from the coast and 75 meters above sea level. The Villages is a gated community for adults who are 55 years of age and older. The Villages offers a wide variety of gold courses, annual marathons, and recreation centers.
8. Ocala
Ocala is a city in north-central Florida with a population of 63,591. Due to Ocala’s distance from the coast and position over sea level, the city is safe from most types of natural disasters. Ocala is home to over 400 thoroughbred horse farms and training centers, being named “The Horse Capital of the World” in 2007. Other notable attractions include Ocala National Forest, Silver Springs State Park, and the College Central Florida.
9. Gainesville
Gainesville is a popular tourist city with a population of 339,247. Gainesville is located in north Florida, an area that is generally safe from hurricanes due to its distance from the coast. Gainesville is home to many attractions, including the University of Florida, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and countless others. The city has a thriving economy and is considered to have a great startup culture.
10. Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach is a city located in northeast Florida within the Greater Jacksonville area. Despite being near the coast, Fernandina Beach consistently ranks low in risks from hurricanes and tropical storms. Fernandina Beach has plenty of historical attractions, including Fort Clinch, which served as an important site during the Civil War. Other sites include the Fairbanks House, Fort Clinch State Park, and the Historic Nassau County Courthouse.
Safest Cities in Florida From Hurricanes Bottom Line
Most of the safest cities in Florida from hurricanes are located in the Northeastern and Central parts of the state as these areas are the regions of the state where hurricanes are least likely to hit. The strongest category 4 and 5 hurricanes also tend to lose strength as they move inland, so cities that are farther from the coast, such as Orlando and Gainesville, are also safer from the worst storms.