More hazard damage per building is expected in Lake Clarke Shores than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Clarke Shores gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #223 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1982.
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 Lake Clarke Shores 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 Lake Clarke Shores’ grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Clarke Shores, and Lake Clarke Shores’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
C #223 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lake Clarke Shores’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lake Clarke Shores has less expected damage per building than 65% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Lake Clarke Shores: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Clarke Shores flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Clarke Shores, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $2K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $13K
- Hurricane Jeanne1 claim · $8K
Lake Clarke Shores is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake Clarke Shores
Disasters that paid out in Lake Clarke Shores itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lake Clarke Shores), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$32K to the Town of Lake Clarke Shores for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma81 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$168K to the Town of Lake Clarke Shores for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$11K to the Town of Lake Clarke Shores for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$33K to the Town of Lake Clarke Shores for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma53 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$205K to the Town of Lake Clarke Shores for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne18 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$87K to the Town of Lake Clarke Shores for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances46 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$269K to the Town of Lake Clarke Shores for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$15K to the Town of Lake Clarke Shores for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $13K
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 Lake Clarke Shores after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Clarke Shores archive →Lake Clarke Shores and its neighbors
Lake Clarke Shores is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Worth Beach | C+more damage than 65% | hurricanes | 118 |
| West Palm Beach | Cmore damage than 65% | hurricanes | 281 |
| Lake Clarke Shores | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 9 |
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 Lake Clarke Shores 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.
- Lake Clarke Shores residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lake Clarke Shores
Is Lake Clarke Shores at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Clarke Shores has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #223 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (36%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake Clarke Shores flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Lake Clarke Shores since 1982, $27K in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (1).
Is Lake Clarke Shores 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 Lake Clarke Shores?
Lake Clarke Shores is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Lake Clarke Shores?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Clarke Shores, Hurricane Frances (2004): 46 households applied for aid, $18K approved, and $269K to the Town of Lake Clarke Shores for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Lake Clarke Shores at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Lake Clarke Shores’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Clarke Shores.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Clarke Shores’ 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.