Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Wellington’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellington gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #360 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (50%), then river and rain flooding (47%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 2001.
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 Wellington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wellington 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 Wellington’s grade
Hurricanes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wellington, and Wellington’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 47% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #360 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wellington’s residents live in 15 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, Wellington has more expected damage per building than 56% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.0M a year in losses across Wellington: $25.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wellington flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wellington, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isaac7 claims · $59K
- Hurricane Frances4 claims · $10K
- Hurricane Irma2 claims · $8K
Wellington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wellington
Disasters that paid out in Wellington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Wellington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton654 households applied for aid$426K aid approved$881K to the Village of Wellington for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian848 households applied for aid$63K aid approved$37K to the Village of Wellington for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$118K to the Village of Wellington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,618 households applied for aid$867K aid approved$3.3M to the Village of Wellington for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $8K
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$290K to the Village of Wellington for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $59K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$79K to the Village of Wellington for repairs
Show all 13
- 2005Hurricane Wilma4,015 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$8.7M to the Village of Wellington for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,855 households applied for aid$941K aid approved$801K to the Village of Wellington for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan37 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances3,143 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$5.3M to the Village of Wellington for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $10K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$8K to the Village of Wellington for repairs
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$149K to the Village of Wellington for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$11K to the Village of Wellington 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 Wellington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wellington archive →Wellington and its neighbors
Wellington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Palm Beach | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 14 |
| Wellington | C−more damage than 83% | hurricanes | 24 |
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 Wellington 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.
- Wellington 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 Wellington
Is Wellington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellington has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #360 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (50%) and river and rain flooding (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wellington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Wellington since 2001, $247K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isaac (7).
Is Wellington 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 Wellington?
Wellington 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 Wellington?
By FEMA money that reached Wellington, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 4,015 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $8.7M to the Village of Wellington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isaac: 7 paid, $59K.
Is Wellington at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Wellington’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wellington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wellington’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.