Photo: 12george1 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Palm Springs’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palm Springs gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #204 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 39 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 stands out about Palm Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs’ grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palm Springs, and Palm Springs’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 35% (lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C #204 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palm Springs’ residents live in 13 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, Palm Springs has less expected damage per building than 68% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Palm Springs: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palm Springs flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palm Springs, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene14 claims · $84K
- Hurricane Frances2 claims · $9K
- Hurricane Jeanne2 claims · $12K
Palm Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palm Springs
Disasters that paid out in Palm Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Palm Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton63 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$4K to the Village of Palm Springs for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian152 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$39K to the Village of Palm Springs for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma2,929 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$370K to the Village of Palm Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $32K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$37K to the Village of Palm Springs for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma615 households applied for aid$344K aid approved$861K to the Village of Palm Springs for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne309 households applied for aid$266K aid approved$67K to the Village of Palm Springs for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $12K
- 2004Hurricane Frances517 households applied for aid$448K aid approved$246K to the Village of Palm Springs for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $9K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$21K to the Village of Palm Springs for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $84K
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 Palm Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palm Springs archive →Palm Springs and its neighbors
Palm Springs 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 | — |
| Palm Springs | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 39 |
| Acacia Villas | — | 131 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 Palm Springs 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.
- Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs
Is Palm Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palm Springs has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #204 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palm Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Palm Springs since 1982, $233K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (14).
Is Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs?
Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Palm Springs, Hurricane Irma (2017): 2,929 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $370K to the Village of Palm Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 14 paid, $84K.
Is Palm Springs at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Palm Springs’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palm Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palm Springs’ 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.