Photo: sailn1 · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, North Palm Beach faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Palm Beach gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #228 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (57%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 52 claims here since 1978.
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 North Palm Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Palm Beach 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
Coastal 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 North Palm Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Palm Beach, and North Palm Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #228 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Palm Beach’s residents live in 8 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, North Palm Beach has less expected damage per building than 64% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across North Palm Beach: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Palm Beach flood? Sometimes: 52 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Palm Beach, from FEMA’s records: 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne11 claims · $53K
- The Blizzard of 19934 claims · $30K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $20K
North Palm Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Palm Beach
Disasters that paid out in North Palm Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of North Palm Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton60 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian181 households applied for aid$11K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$117K to the Village of North Palm Beach for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma796 households applied for aid$231K aid approved$702K to the Village of North Palm Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma549 households applied for aid$232K aid approved$643K to the Village of North Palm Beach for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne858 households applied for aid$718K aid approved$567K to the Village of North Palm Beach for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $53K
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Frances1,154 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$771K to the Village of North Palm Beach for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $30K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$30K to the Village of North Palm Beach for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $20K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$4K to the Village of North Palm Beach 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 North Palm Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Palm Beach archive →North Palm Beach and its neighbors
North Palm Beach is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera Beach | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 92 |
| Palm Beach Gardens | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 171 |
| Lake Park | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 23 |
| North Palm Beach | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 52 |
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 North Palm Beach 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- North Palm Beach residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in North Palm Beach
Is North Palm Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Palm Beach has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #228 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (57%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Palm Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 52 claims in North Palm Beach since 1978, $381K in all, or 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (11).
Is North Palm Beach 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 North Palm Beach?
North Palm Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 North Palm Beach?
By FEMA money that reached North Palm Beach, Hurricane Frances (2004): 1,154 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $771K to the Village of North Palm Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 11 paid, $53K.
Is North Palm Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and North Palm Beach’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Palm Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Palm Beach’s 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.