Photo: formulanone from Huntsville, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Riviera Beach than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riviera Beach gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #168 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (36%). 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 Riviera Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Riviera 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
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 Riviera Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Riviera Beach, and Riviera Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
C #168 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Riviera Beach’s residents live in 12 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, Riviera Beach has less expected damage per building than 74% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.9M a year in losses across Riviera Beach: $10.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Riviera Beach flood? Sometimes: 92 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Riviera Beach, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances23 claims · $603K
- Hurricane Jeanne16 claims · $182K
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $17K
Riviera Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Riviera Beach
Disasters that paid out in Riviera Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Riviera Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton473 households applied for aid$275K aid approved$130K to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$143K to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,105 households applied for aid$253K aid approved$118K to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$313K to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma7,075 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$1.0M to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $77K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$246K to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs
Show all 13
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$15K to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma2,216 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$2.0M to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $17K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne2,641 households applied for aid$4.9M aid approved$667K to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $182K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan77 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances3,259 households applied for aid$5.2M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs23 flood claims paid for it, $603K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$53K to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $17K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$24K to the City of Riviera 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 Riviera Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Riviera Beach archive →Riviera Beach and its neighbors
Riviera Beach is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach Shores | C+more damage than 56% | hurricanes | 29 |
| West Palm Beach | Cmore damage than 65% | hurricanes | 281 |
| 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 |
| Palm Beach | C−more damage than 81% | hurricanes | 679 |
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 Riviera 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.
- 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.
- Riviera Beach 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 Riviera Beach
Is Riviera Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riviera Beach has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #168 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Riviera Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 92 claims in Riviera Beach since 1978, $1.5M in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (23).
Is Riviera 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 Riviera Beach?
Riviera Beach 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 Riviera Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Riviera Beach, Hurricane Frances (2004): 3,259 households applied for aid, $5.2M approved, and $1.4M to the City of Riviera Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 23 paid, $603K.
Is Riviera Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Riviera Beach’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Riviera Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Riviera 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.