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Perdido Key hurricane guide
Perdido Key is the westernmost barrier island in Florida, stretching from Pensacola Pass toward the Alabama line between the Gulf, Big Lagoon and Perdido Bay. It is in Evacuation Zone A and has only one Florida-side road off the island — SR-292 across the Theo Baars Bridge.
Escambia CountyCounty emergency management
Zone checkMostly Zone A (barrier island / waterfront)
Aug–OctPeak local hurricane risk
Hurricanes that hit Perdido Key
- Hurricane Frederic (1979) overwashed the island from its landfall at Dauphin Island, just to the west.
- Hurricane Ivan (2004) made landfall about 20 miles west, putting Perdido Key directly under the eastern eyewall. Surge and waves destroyed or heavily damaged most structures and cut new channels through the dunes.
- Hurricane Sally (2020) made landfall near Gulf Shores, again putting Perdido Key on the storm's dangerous right side, with surge flooding and long-duration hurricane winds.
See the full Pensacola hurricane history for details on each storm.
Evacuation in Perdido Key
- Leave early via the Theo Baars Bridge to Sorrento Road (SR-292) and Blue Angel Parkway (SR-173) north to US-90 and I-10.
- The Alabama route through Orange Beach and Gulf Shores often closes earlier and is not a reliable alternative.
- Expect a long wait for re-entry; utilities and the bridge must be inspected first.
Local preparation tip
Perdido Key's high-rise condos are built to strong wind codes, but surge undermines ground-level parking and elevators fail without power — elevated condos are not a reason to stay behind in Zone A.
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