Florida Panhandle Research Articles

A new species of Meadow Katydid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalini) from the Apalachicola River Basin of Florida, USA

Odontoxiphidium apalachicolae, sp. nov., is described from seasonally flooded savannah habitats of the Central Panhandle of Florida. The new species differs from the only other member of the genus, O. apterum Morse, in morphology, coloration, calling song, and habitat. Color variation in O. apterum is also discussed. The new species appears to be a member of a unique insect fauna that is endemic to the Apalachicola River Basin, a well-known refugium and center for speciation in vascular plants. Continued exploration of this area is needed to fully document arthropod diversity in the region.

Benthic modification and biotic associations at natural and artificial habitats excavated by Epinephelus morio and Lutjanus campechanus

Pockmarks are abundant seafloor features worldwide and, in West Florida Shelf waters <110 m deep, are thought to be sites of sediment excavation primarily by red grouper Epinephelus morio, although red snapper Lutjanus campechanus also excavate sediment. During 2014-2017, side-scan sonar (445 kHz) was used to locate and deploy stereo-baited remote underwater video arrays within view of 202 such excavations in waters 17-110 m deep on the West Florida Shelf off the Florida Panhandle and Peninsula. Three excavation habitat classes included 73 isolated excavations on open sand, 74 associated with low-relief hard bottom, and 55 associated with artificial reefs. Physical characteristics of excavations varied between regions, among habitats, and with depth; mean diameter (±1 SE) was 9.9 ± 0.3 m (range: 3-24.6 m). Excavations not around artificial reefs contained 6.9 ± 0.5 m2 (0-27.7 m2) of exposed rock, and epibenthic growth covered 33 ± 2% of the interiors. Members of 99 fish genera were identified. Fish abundance was greatest at isolated excavations which showed similar evenness to excavated artificial reefs; diversity was higher at excavated low-relief hard bottom. L. campechanus was much more common in Panhandle waters, especially at excavated artificial reefs which had subsided 0.8 ± 0.1 vertical meters below the seafloor (i.e. 48 ± 4% of the structure). These biotic and abiotic characteristics of excavations highlight the importance of E. morio’s ecosystem-engineering services and provide new insight into the contributions of L. campechanus in creating or maintaining excavations at natural and anthropogenic habitats.

Genetic Variation among Rare Florida Endemic Hymenocallis henryae Populations and the Implication for Conservation and Management

Hymenocallis henryae is a rare, charismatic spider lily endemic to the Florida panhandle. Currently under review to determine if listing under the Endangered Species Act is warranted, this species has undescribed genetic diversity, information crucial to the listing process. We conducted field observations of 21 historic populations across the species’ geographical range and performed genomic analyses of 279 individuals from 19 extant populations. Most populations had fewer than 40 individuals, while populations with >100 individuals were found exclusively on managed lands. Genetic diversity was uniformly low within populations (HE: 0.074–0.093), with low to moderate inbreeding coefficients (FIS: 0.068–0.431). Genetic differentiation was relatively low among most populations (FST: 0–0.098), although there was statistical support for isolation by distance. In addition, we found high genetic similarity and lack of population structure across the species range. Clonal propagation through fused bulbs is a common reproductive strategy. We confirmed current threats (habitat change, residential development, fire suppression) and identified several coastal populations threatened by sea level rise. It is recommended to continue with in situ protection and management as well as the establishment of ex situ living collections to preserve populations most at risk of extirpation from habitat loss and degradation.

Fire refugia patch dynamics differ between prescribed fires and wildfires in longleaf pine savanna

Increasing wildfire activity has spurred an increasing push for the application of prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risk while simultaneously acting as a surrogate for fire’s historical role as a fundamental ecosystem process. However, prescribed fires are often ignited using uniform ignitions to maintain operational control and there are concerns that they may not be able to replicate the landscape heterogeneity, particularly patterns in unburned patches, generated by historical fires. Fire refugia, unburned areas within fire perimeters, play an integral role in determining post-fire recovery and community structure. We assess patterns in fire refugia across 443 large (>200 ha) wildfire and prescribed fire perimeters using remotely sensed fire severity data in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savannas of the Florida Panhandle. Contrary to concerns, large prescribed fires had a significantly greater proportion of unburned area than wildfires, driven by larger refugia patch sizes. Drier conditions promoted smaller and more numerous fire refugia patches. Our study demonstrates differences in wildfires versus prescribed fire outcomes on landscape structure, with implications for future longleaf pine savanna management.

Using Nighttime Light Data to Explore the Extent of Power Outages in the Florida Panhandle after 2018 Hurricane Michael

The destructive forces of tropical cyclones can have significant impacts on the land, contributing to degradation through various mechanisms such as erosion, debris, loss of vegetation, and widespread damage to infrastructure. Storm surge and flooding can wash away buildings and other structures, deposit debris and sediments, and contaminate freshwater resources, making them unsuitable for both human use and agriculture. High winds and flooding often damage electrical disubstations and transformers, leading to disruptions in electricity supply. Restoration can take days or even weeks, depending on the extent of the damage and the resources available. In the meantime, communities affected by power outages may experience difficulties accessing essential services and maintaining communication. In this study, we used a weighted maximum likelihood classification algorithm to reclassify NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey Emergency Response Imagery scenes into debris, sand, water, trees, and roofs to assess the extent of the damage around Mexico Beach, Florida, following the 2018 Hurricane Michael. NASA’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) was processed to estimate power outage duration and rate of restoration in the Florida Panhandle based on the 7-day moving averages. Percent loss of electrical service at a neighborhood level was estimated using the 2013–2017 American Community Survey block group data. Spatial lag models were employed to examine the association between restoration rates and socioeconomic factors. The analysis revealed notable differences in power-restoration rates between urbanized and rural areas and between disadvantaged and more affluent communities. The findings indicated that block groups with higher proportions of minorities, multi-family housing units, rural locations, and households receiving public assistance experienced slower restoration of power compared to urban and more affluent neighborhoods. These results underscore the importance of integrating socioeconomic factors into disaster preparedness and recovery-planning efforts, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to mitigate disparities in recovery times following natural disasters.

Studies in the vascular flora of the southeastern United States. X

As part of ongoing work on the Flora of the Southeastern United States (Weakley & Southeastern Flora Team 2023) and related projects, as well as for general floristic, conservation, and scientific work in eastern North America, it is essential to document taxonomic and nomenclatural changes and significant distribution records. Here, we propose six new species of graminoids (two Rhynchospora, three Dichanthelium, and one Anatherum)—five from fire-maintained pine savannas and embedded wetlands of the southeastern Coastal Plain and one from the floristically and ecologically related fire-maintained pine savannas of North Andros Island in The Bahamas. We provide rationale and documentation for the “taxonomic resurrection” of Vaccinium ashei, an economically important member of Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus, based on morphology, estimation of ploidy level with flow cytometry, and phylogenomic analysis based on high-throughput DNA sequencing. We make four new combinations in Convolvulus to accommodate the inclusion of Calystegia in Convolvulus to resolve paraphyly. We also make six new combinations necessary to recognize sect. Leptopogon of Andropogon at generic rank, as Anatherum, based on the phylogenetic work of other researchers and the previously incomplete transfer of recognized species to Anatherum, providing the needed names to recognize this group of species in genus Anatherum in North American floristic treatments. We document the surprising discovery of Carex lutea, previously believed to be endemic to two counties in eastern North Carolina, in two counties in the panhandle of Florida, and a county in eastern South Carolina—discoveries aided by iNaturalist and Facebook. We document new states as being within the distribution ranges of additional species: Quercus similis (Florida), Juncus brachycephalus (Arkansas and Missouri), Rhexia mariana var. mariana (Ohio), Asarum acuminatum and Elionurus tripsacoides (Alabama), and Mecardonia procumbens (Georgia). Other important distributional records, many representing rediscoveries of conservationally significant, extant populations of plants previously considered of only historical occurrence in a state, are also reported: Alabama (Arnica acaulis, Asclepias connivens, Berberis canadensis, Bulbostylis warei, Ctenodon viscidulus, Parnassia grandifolia, and Pinguicula pumila) and Georgia and Florida (Lobelia boykinii).

Assessing the impact of Hurricane Ivan on aboveground forest carbon dynamics in the Florida Panhandle: A case study from Perdido Bay watershed

Hurricanes can physically transform forest ecosystems, leading to immediate and potentially long-lasting impacts on carbon dynamics. Using Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) data from the United States Forest Service, we compared the average carbon in trees (saplings, bole, stump, tops) and foliage pre- (2001–2003) and post- (2005–2007) Hurricane Ivan for different tree categories in the Perdido Bay Watershed located in the Florida Panhandle. The log-linear regression model indicates that variables stand type (softwood/mixed/hardwood), diameter, height, physiographic class (deep sands/flatwoods/rolling uplands/small drains/swamps/bottomlands), elevation, field age and plot affected status were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) determinants of carbon loss from the forest stands. Results showed that plots with medium-diameter stands lost more aboveground carbon than large and small-diameter stands, similarly, softwood-dominated stands lost more aboveground carbon than hardwood and mixed wood stands. Aboveground carbon decreased in stands with large (≥ 0.15 m) and medium (≥ 0.12 m) diameter-at-breast height (DBH) by 22.74 and 30.22 metric tons/ha, respectively. We ascertained a decrease of 74.51 and 17.82 metric tons/ha of aboveground carbon in hardwood and mixed plots after Hurricane Ivan, respectively. Aboveground carbon in young (< 25 y) taller trees (> 15 m) decreased by 121.55 metric tons/ha of carbon immediately after the hurricane. These findings underscore the critical necessity of comprehending the interplay between forest structure and hurricane activity to forecast the repercussions of such disturbances on carbon stocks. Our provided framework serves as a valuable tool for researchers and policymakers to assess the vulnerability of coastal forests and facilitate strategic planning to protect forests as carbon sinks.

Evaluation of Road-Crossing Terrapene carolina major (Gulf Coast Box Turtle) in the Florida Panhandle

Evaluation of Road-Crossing Terrapene carolina major (Gulf Coast Box Turtle) in the Florida Panhandle

Unexpected effect of geographic origin on post‐translocation survival in a long‐lived reptile, the gopher tortoise

AbstractMitigation translocations move wildlife from specific areas due to conflict with humans over land use at the site. A critical decision when carrying out mitigation translocation is the acceptable distance across which animals can be moved. This decision trades off logistical expediency of unrestricted translocation with the risk of reducing translocation success due to environmental mismatch between origin and translocation site conditions. In this study, we used a large dataset of 502 individually identifiable carcasses to examine the role of geographic origin and translocation distance in the relative survival of 2822 translocated subadult and adult gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), a species experiencing large‐scale mitigation translocation, at a recipient site in the Florida panhandle, USA. We hypothesized that if climate or habitat differences between the origin and translocation site influenced survival, tortoises translocated from within the Florida panhandle would have the highest survival. To the contrary, we found that survival slightly increased with increasing climatic difference between origin and recipient site, driven by higher survival of tortoises coming from central Florida sites compared to those from the panhandle and north Florida. This suggests that environmental mismatch due to long‐distance translocation is not a main driver of mortality. These models also indicated an effect of season, with a survival advantage to tortoises translocated in the spring and late fall, relative to summer translocations, and a negative effect of initial density on survival. Finally, we also estimated the upper bound on annual survival in three well‐monitored groups to be quite low (92–95%) for several years following release, suggesting caution when considering large translocated populations to be viable without first assessing adult survival. Our unexpected results highlight the importance of investigating species‐specific sensitivities to translocation distances and indicate the limitations of assumed linear effects of translocation distance on outcomes.

Sacred Places in a Burning World

ABSTRACT Sacred places today are at grave risk from climate change as the waters rise around these sites and fires approach and engulf them. Even the briefest online search results in a long list of examples. Summers of record heat in northern Spain imperil pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. Rising sea levels in the Florida Panhandle threaten hundreds of ancient Indigenous sacred sites. Flooding across East Asia has displaced Buddhist monks from their monasteries. Extreme heat in Mecca led to stampedes in 1990 and again in 2015, killing hundreds of pilgrims. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey inundated the sanctuary of the oldest synagogue in Houston, Texas, Congregation Beth Israel. Shrines and other sacred spaces caught in the path of extreme climate events and their aftermaths constitute a distinctive field of lived religious experience and practice in the post-Anthropocene, another name for our cataclysmic post-secular globalized world.

Red snapper excavate sediments around artificial reefs: observations of ecosystem-engineering behavior by a widely distributed lutjanid

Hard substrate and vertical relief are limited habitat resources for reef-associated species in many regions. On the West Florida Shelf (WFS) of the Gulf of Mexico, red grouper Epinephelus morio act as ecosystem engineers by excavating sediments to expose limestone bedrock. Excavations can exceed 25 m in diameter and 2 m in depth and are among the most abundant WFS seafloor features at depths between 40 and 110 m. As part of a survey of hard-bottom habitats and associated reef fish assemblages, 1203 excavations were identified in WFS waters along the Florida Panhandle between 2014 and 2019. These excavations often contained subsided artificial reef material within their interior and infrequently included E. morio among observed fishes. We video-identified red snapper Lutjanus campechanus excavating sediments around 2 subsided artificial reefs in 2015 and 2017 for a total of approximately 56 min of excavation activity. A total of 24 excavation events were documented around a tire pile in 2015, and 5 were documented around a pyramid-shaped reef module in 2017. These observations help to explain the subsidence of artificial reefs and apparent excavation around their bases despite the scarcity of previously known excavating species. This suggests that L. campechanus might be ecosystem engineers on the WFS.

Steering Flow Sensitivity in Forecast Models for Hurricane Ian (2022)

Abstract Hurricane Ian made landfall along Florida’s west coast at 1905 UTC 28 September 2022 near the Fort Myers area as a high-impact storm. Here, we examine the potential link between track forecast errors near the time of landfall and errors in both the synoptic-scale upper-level flow and a shortwave moving within that flow. Five days before the actual landfall (0000 UTC 23 September), most model guidance indicated landfall would occur close to where Ian eventually came ashore. But by 0000 UTC 25 September, model forecasts were all forecasting landfall in the Florida Panhandle. One day later, the models again agreed with each other but for a landfall 100–200 km north of Tampa, Florida. By 0000 UTC 27 September, forecast models indicated landfall would occur near Tampa. Model forecasts continued shifting to the right and finally converged on Punta Gorda, Florida, as the landfall location, less than 24 h before landfall. In this short article, we hypothesize that the track of Ian depended on subtle interactions with an extratropical wave in the middle and upper atmosphere. Deterministic and ensemble model forecasts reveal that the interactions were very sensitive to the characteristics of this wave and the synoptic-scale flow in which the wave was embedded. A 1–2-dam difference in the geopotential heights played a major role in whether Ian moved north into the Panhandle or toward the east, making landfall in central Florida. Significance Statement The purpose of this work is to look at possible causes of error in forecasts of Hurricane Ian’s landfall with the intent of saving lives and reducing damage, which can run to the billions of dollars. The path that hurricanes take is strongly influenced by the larger-scale weather patterns around them. We find that small errors in the upper-level flow patterns north of the hurricane appear to have played an important role in the forecast. These errors were present in both the general flow and a wave moving through that flow, resulting in small but significant changes to the forecast path. Understanding the cause of forecast errors is a key step both in improving forecasts and in identifying types of events that are more difficult to forecast.

Evaluation of speculated reproductive habitat for Somatochlora calverti (Corduliidae), a rare and range-restricted dragonfly

Globally, freshwater ecosystems and the organisms that depend on them are at risk. Dragonflies and damselflies (collectively, “odonates”) have a history of being used as bioindicators of freshwater habitat quality due to their wide range in environmental sensitivities across species and because they are relatively accessible. However, the nymphal stage is severely understudied compared to the adult stage, which inhibits conservation efforts. Somatochlora calverti is a rare species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae; members of the genus Somatochlora are notoriously difficult to find and collect in the field as nymphs and adults. Somatochlora calverti is known primarily from the Florida panhandle but has been documented in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. The nymph of this species is speculated to use seepage streams analogous to sympatric congeners; however, the nymph has never been collected in the field and, therefore, its specific microhabitat is unknown. We conducted a review from a suite of informational sources to generate a holistic consensus on what is defined to be suitable reproductive habitat for S. calverti. Sources identified eight major environmental characteristics that are likely to harbor S. calverti: shallow seepage streams, including steephead ravines, with undercut banks and mats of Sphagnum moss adjacent to intact sandhill forest. These ecosystems are being lost and degraded by anthropogenic activity, which has considerable impacts on the persistence of habitat specialists, including S. calverti, and managers’ ability to conserve them.

Recovery and Restoration of Disturbed Sand Bars of the Apalachicola River, Florida

abstract: Large, low-lying rivers have a variety of societal uses and show a wide range of disturbances. One such example, the Apalachicola River in the Florida Panhandle, experienced anthropogenic activities that altered its hydrologic, geomorphic, and ecologic condition. The river's sand bars enlarged more than threefold in area because of dredge disposal and localized incision from anthropogenic activities during a navigation project. Once dredging ended, the river experienced passive recovery through the slow regrowth of riparian vegetation, with sand bars reducing in area ~18% from 2005 to 2015. The outcomes of tree-line change analyses from 1999 to 2019 indicate a higher recovery rate in the first decade (1999-2010), migrating fastest in locations where vegetation islands stabilize sediments. To help accelerate vegetation regrowth, during the growing seasons of 2018 and 2019, we planted willow stakes at various positions and microhabitats covering ~3.6 ha of three enlarged sand bars near Blountstown, FL. Our mapping shows some synergies between passive recovery and active restoration as tree-line expansion had the fastest rates between 2019 and 2021. Our study gives insights and guidance into passive recovery and restoration projects involving plantings on large, low-lying rivers.

First Report of Phytophthora citrophthora Causing Leaf Necrosis and Terminal Shoot Dieback on Asimina triloba (Pawpaw) in a Virginia Floodplain Forest

Asimina triloba (pawpaw) is a shade-tolerant, understory, deciduous tree in the family Annonaceae that is native to 26 states in the Eastern United States, with a range from the Florida panhandle to New York, west to Iowa and Nebraska, and south to Texas. On 12 June 2022, in a floodplain forest along the James River near Richmond, Virginia, a group of three A. triloba saplings about 1.0 to 1.5 m tall were observed with leaf necrosis, terminal shoot dieback, and leaf drop. Symptomatic tissue was cultured on selective media, and isolate DB22-4 was identified as Phytophthora citrophthora using morphological and molecular methods. Segments of the ITS and COX1 loci were deposited in the GenBank database under accession numbers OQ703042 and OQ834750, respectively. Koch's postulates were fulfilled in an unwounded, attached-leaf assay by inoculating 20 leaves on five healthy saplings. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of P. citrophthora causing terminal necrosis and leaf drop on A. triloba in a nursery or a natural ecosystem. Additional studies are needed to understand which Phytophthora spp. cause disease on A. triloba, as well as the environmental and physiological factors that favor infection in the forest under natural conditions.

Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) following Hurricane Michael: Gadsden, Calhoun, and Jackson Counties, Florida, 2020.

To assess community preparedness and ongoing recovery efforts in the rural counties most severely impacted by Hurricane Michael, including structural and economic losses, injury and illness, healthcare access, and suicide risk and ideation. The Florida Department of Health conducted a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) in January 2020, 15 months after Hurricane Michael made landfall in October 2018. A total of 30 clusters were randomly selected from three rural counties in the Panhandle of Florida, including Jackson (15 clusters), Gadsden (11), and Calhoun (four) counties. A total of 185 face-to-face and two phone interviews were conducted with residents 18 years of age or older. Hurricane preparedness, structural and economic losses, access to care, and physical and mental health. Around 43 percent of respondents evacuated as a result of Hurricane Michael, and at least two-thirds of all respondents reported having an emergency supply kit and enough nonperishable food, water, and medication. Structural damage was extensive with 63 percent reporting home damage, averaging over $32,000. Few injuries or illnesses were reported post-landfall (9 percent), with the most common being minor injuries and bacterial infections. Most respondents reported continued access to healthcare if needed. The most common stress-related issues reported were difficulty sleeping (19 percent) and agitated behaviors (10 percent). Seven percent of respondents reported being at moderate to high risk for suicide. Rural areas may lack resources, such as healthcare facilities, skilled workers, and supplies, that hinder their ability to recover from storms when compared to more urban counties. Many residents reported that 15 months after the storm, their homes were still not fully repaired. A majority of residents were prepared with adequate supplies, had minimal disruption in employment or healthcare access, and had few illnesses or injuries during the storm or the recovery efforts.

Residential Wind Loss Mitigation Case Study: An Analysis of Insurance Claim Data for Hurricane Michael

This study analyzes insurance claim data from an 11-county area in the Florida Panhandle following the landfall of Hurricane Michael. The data includes 1467 non-mobile home structures, with 902 (61.5%) storm-damaged structures in Bay County. The analysis focuses on Wind Mitigation form 1802. Specifically, building design variables were analyzed via linear regression as to their influence on the percent claim loss. The building design variables included total square footage, dwelling construction type, age of the building, roof type, roof cover type, roof deck attachment type, roof to wall attachment, the presence of secondary water resistance (or sealed roof deck), opening protection type, and roof shape. Results show that building design variables for insurance claims have a high predictive value relative to a Category 5 hurricane event. However, the predictive values of building design variables are also dependent on the dwelling’s proximity to the coast, its location relative to the strong or weak side of the storm, the diameter of the storm, and other wind field variables.

Frequent prescribed burns reduce mammalian species richness and occurrence in longleaf pine sandhills

Prescribed fire is a critical forest management tool, the frequency and size of which can alter the composition of wildlife communities. In the longleaf pine ecosystem of the southeastern United States, frequent prescribed fire (1–3 year fire interval) is used to replicate natural processes that prevent woody encroachment and transition to alternate states. However, we have little understanding of how different scales and frequencies of fire influence medium and large mammals. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed the homogenizing influence of prescribed fire on mammal community composition at different fire frequencies and scales. We set 110 camera trap grids containing 990 individual camera points across conservation lands in north Florida and the Florida panhandle. We used a Bayesian multi-species occupancy modeling approach to assess the relationship between fire frequency and the occurrence of 11 mammal species across three spatial scales (0.2 ha, 12.57 ha, and 176.71 ha). Species richness was negatively associated with increased burn frequency at all scales and community occurrence was negatively associated with increased burn frequency at the two largest scales. Non-native nine-banded armadillos were negatively associated with increased burn frequency at all scales and non-native feral hogs were negatively associated with increased burn frequency at the two largest scales. Raccoons and opossums, both known nest predators, were negatively associated with increased burn frequency at the two largest scales. Our results indicate that prescribed fire applied at 1–3 year intervals could be used to reduce the occurrence of most non-native mammals and several prolific nest predators in longleaf pine sandhills, particularly at larger scales. However, these perceived benefits must be weighed against the concurrent loss of the ecosystem services and functions native generalist species provide.

Mapping high marsh and salt pannes/flats along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast

Coastal wetlands are predicted to undergo extensive transformation due to climate and land use change. Baseline maps of coastal wetlands can be used to help assess changes. Found in the upper portion of the estuarine zone, high marsh and salt pannes/flats provide ecosystem goods and services and are particularly important to fish and wildlife. We developed the first map of high marsh and salt pannes/flats along the northern Gulf of Mexico using regional models that included spectral indices related to greenness and wetness from optical satellite imagery, elevation data, irregularly flooded wetland probability information, and synthetic aperture radar backscatter. We found the greatest relative coverage of high marsh along the Texas coast (30% to 65%) and the Florida Panhandle (40%), whereas the greatest relative coverage of salt pannes/flats was along the lower Texas coast (74%) and the middle Texas coast (15%). As part of this effort, we also developed a map that highlighted irregularly flooded wetlands dominated by Juncus roemerianus (black needlerush) for part of the study area. Both maps had an overall accuracy of around 80%. Our results advance the understanding of estuarine marsh zonation and provide a baseline for assessing future transformations.

Component Assessment of the Electric Transmission Grid to Hurricanes

AbstractThe increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events from climate change necessitates understanding impacts on critical infrastructure, particularly electrical transmission grids. One of the foundational concepts of a grid's resilience is its robustness to extreme weather events, such as hurricanes. Resilience of the electric grid to high wind speeds is predicated upon the location and physical characteristics of the system components. Previous modeling assessments of electric grid failure were done at the systems level with assumptions on location and type of specific components. To facilitate more explicit adaptation metrics, accurate component‐level information is needed. In this study, we build and utilize a data set of location, physical characteristics, and age of transmission structures for nine counties in the Florida Panhandle. These component characteristics were then simulated for failure under a variety of scenarios using fragility curves. Eight hurricanes were modeled using Hazus from the Federal Emergency Management Administration and the resulting impact to the network was assessed. The network was generated using the transmission lines and towers, showing increasing impacts to network efficiency with larger storms. Although modern transmission structures are built under the more stringent extreme wind loading construction standards, the prevalence of older, wooden transmission structures throughout the region poses a substantial risk to reliable electricity transmission during tropical cyclone events from the Gulf of Mexico.