Ian and Charley put Charlotte Harbor on the surge map
As Hurricane Ian approached in 2022, the National Hurricane Center warned of catastrophic storm surge of 12 to 18 feet above ground from Englewood to Bonita Beach, including Charlotte Harbor. Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa that afternoon, and by 8 PM its center was about 30 miles northeast of Punta Gorda — directly over the Port Charlotte area. Hurricane Charley (2004) had earlier tracked straight up Charlotte Harbor with 150 mph winds.
- Ian (2022): NHC warned 12–18 ft of surge above ground, Englewood to Bonita Beach, including Charlotte Harbor
- Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa; the center passed just northeast of Punta Gorda that evening
- Charley (2004): 150 mph winds tracking up Charlotte Harbor
Source: NHC Hurricane Ian Advisories (Sep 28, 2022) and Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Charley
The BarrierX® system we install in Port Charlotte
Rubicon installs BarrierX® removable aluminum plank barriers: side posts are anchored beside each opening once, and the planks drop into them when a storm is forecast. Height is chosen per opening in 8-inch steps.
- Heights from 25 in (3 planks) to 73 in (9 planks)
- 6063-T6 aluminum; independent tensile test of a plank: 31.0 ksi yield vs the 25.0 ksi ASTM B221 T6 minimum
- Closed-cell EPDM seals; stainless steel sleeve anchors into masonry
- Planks weigh 2.15 lb per linear foot (a 10-ft plank is about 21.5 lb)
Source: BarrierX® specification and test results
Port Charlotte homes: what we measure
Port Charlotte is mostly canal-front homes built from the 1960s onward, many on slabs with ground-level garages and lanais. Rubicon measures each opening and its mounting surface, checks the slab and wall material at each post location, and plans storage and deployment for seasonal owners.
Getting Rubicon out to Port Charlotte
Rubicon replies to inquiries within an hour and can schedule an emergency appointment within 24 hours. Every system is measured on site first, then quoted per opening. Rubicon is based at 3729 Chiquita Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33914 and serves Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and Charlotte County. Call 239-330-8888.
- On-site measurement before any quote
- Install, labeled storage and a deployment walkthrough
- Quoted per opening, not per web price list
What Rubicon customers say
5.0 on Google from 8 reviews (as of October 2026). Excerpts from Rubicon’s Google reviews across Southwest Florida (not necessarily from this city):
- “Super easy process from start to finish. You can tell they know what they’re doing.”
- “Great service and prompt response.”
- “Great experience and a great result!”
Source: Rubicon Flood Control on Google
Official local flood information
Charlotte County property owners can check flood zones and map products through the FEMA Flood Map Service Center; the county also publishes floodplain guidance for permits and elevation requirements.
Source: FEMA Flood Map Service Center
What a flood barrier can and can’t do
A barrier closes a measured opening — a garage, door or slider — up to its rated height. It does not stop water coming up through floor drains, through walls or over the top, and it doesn’t replace evacuation orders or elevation requirements in Port Charlotte. A barrier closes the openings it is measured for; it does not stop surge that overtops the property or enters through walls and drains.
