FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ocean Ridge than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean Ridge gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (53%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 92 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 Ocean Ridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ocean Ridge 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 Ocean Ridge’s grade
Hurricanes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ocean Ridge, and Ocean Ridge’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ocean Ridge’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Ocean Ridge: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ocean Ridge flood? Sometimes: 92 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ocean Ridge, from FEMA’s records: 57.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene17 claims · $164K
- Hurricane Frances9 claims · $298K
- Tropical Storm Mitch7 claims · $214K
Ocean Ridge is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ocean Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Ocean Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ocean Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$36K to the Town of Ocean Ridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$77K to the Town of Ocean Ridge for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma88 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$101K to the Town of Ocean Ridge for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$24K to the Town of Ocean Ridge for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$6K to the Town of Ocean Ridge for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $21K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma85 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$233K to the Town of Ocean Ridge for repairs
Show all 10
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne18 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$91K to the Town of Ocean Ridge for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $48K
- 2004Hurricane Frances40 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$143K to the Town of Ocean Ridge for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $298K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$28K to the Town of Ocean Ridge for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $164K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$7K to the Town of Ocean Ridge 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 Ocean Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ocean Ridge archive →Ocean Ridge and its neighbors
Ocean Ridge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boynton Beach | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 257 |
| Ocean Ridge | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 92 |
| Briny Breezes | — | 394 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Ocean Ridge 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.
- Ocean Ridge residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ocean Ridge
Is Ocean Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean Ridge has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (53%) and river and rain flooding (28%). 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 Ocean Ridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 92 claims in Ocean Ridge since 1978, $1.4M in all, or 57.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (17).
Is Ocean Ridge 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 Ocean Ridge?
Ocean Ridge is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Ocean Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Ocean Ridge, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 85 households applied for aid, $44K approved, and $233K to the Town of Ocean Ridge for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 17 paid, $164K.
Is Ocean Ridge at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Ocean Ridge’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ocean Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ocean Ridge’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.