FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Greenacres than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenacres gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #229 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1999.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Greenacres’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Greenacres faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Greenacres’ grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenacres, and Greenacres’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
C #229 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greenacres’ residents live in 14 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Greenacres has less expected damage per building than 64% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.1M a year in losses across Greenacres: $6.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenacres flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greenacres, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $22K
- Hurricane Jeanne1 claim · $11K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $9K
Greenacres is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenacres
Disasters that paid out in Greenacres itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Greenacres), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton158 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian390 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,526 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$241K to the City of Greenacres for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$12K to the City of Greenacres for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma2,377 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$423K to the City of Greenacres for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,353 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$60K to the City of Greenacres for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $11K
Show all 10
- 2004Hurricane Ivan27 households applied for aid$988 aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances1,995 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$406K to the City of Greenacres for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$14K to the City of Greenacres for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$14K to the City of Greenacres for repairs
Palm Beach County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Palm Beach County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Greenacres after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenacres archive →Greenacres and its neighbors
Greenacres is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenwood Estates | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | — |
| Greenacres | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 7 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Greenacres faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Greenacres residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Greenacres
Is Greenacres at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenacres has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #229 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greenacres flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Greenacres since 1999, $71K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Greenacres in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Palm Beach County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 13.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greenacres?
Greenacres is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Greenacres?
By FEMA money that reached Greenacres, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 2,377 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $423K to the City of Greenacres for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $22K.
Is Greenacres at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Greenacres’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenacres.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenacres’ residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.