FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in San Castle than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Castle gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #161 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (65%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 16 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 San Castle 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 San Castle’s grade
Hurricanes are 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Castle, and San Castle’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 32% (lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #161 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of San Castle’s 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, San Castle has less expected damage per building than 75% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $448K a year in losses across San Castle: $349K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does San Castle flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Castle, from FEMA’s records: 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $21K
- The The ’No-Name Storm’1 claim · $4K
San Castle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.The storms San Castle remembers
None of the 29 disasters declared for Palm Beach County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching San Castle itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19825 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19922 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19982 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Mitch, declared for Palm Beach County
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 San Castle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Castle archive →San Castle and its neighbors
San Castle has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Castle | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 16 |
| Lantana | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 88 |
| Boynton Beach | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 257 |
| Hypoluxo | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 5 |
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 San Castle 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in San Castle
Is San Castle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Castle has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #161 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (65%) and river and rain flooding (32%). 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 San Castle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in San Castle since 1982, $76K in all, or 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is San Castle 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 San Castle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Castle’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in San Castle?
By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $21K.
Is San Castle at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and San Castle’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Castle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Castle’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.