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Alfred J. Comeau HouseAlfred J. Comeau House · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0
CHazard risk
Natural hazards in West Palm Beach · FEMA

FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in West Palm Beach than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Palm Beach gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #126 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (65%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 281 claims here since 1978.

Hurricanes 65%River and rain flooding 31%Tornadoes 2%

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

more than 65%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#126 of 638 in Florida
Hazard risk
C#126 of 638
in Florida · higher than 65% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
Hurricanes
65% of expected building damage
Flood claims
281
paid since 1978 · $3.9M
Flooded more than once
29
properties · 1 “severe repetitive loss”
Flood insurance
25% off
Community discount (class 5)

What stands out about West Palm Beach’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

281 paid flood claims since 1978$3.9M in all; 29 properties flooded more than once.25% off flood insuranceFlood-proofing work earns West Palm Beach residents a discount through FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5).Made safer with FEMA grants14 buildings retrofitted against wind; 8 buildings floodproofed; 5 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared; 3 flood-prone homes bought out and moved; 1 home raised above flood level with FEMA grants.Remembers 200486 flood claims were paid for 2004 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What West Palm 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

65%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 3 years in the area

River and rain flooding

31%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Coastal flooding Wildfire Lightning top 3% Strong wind Cold waves Hail Earthquakes Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Winter stormsIce stormsAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind West Palm Beach’s grade

Hurricanes are 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Palm Beach, and West Palm Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.

Where West Palm Beach sits
West Palm Beach
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C #126 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).

West Palm Beach’s residents live in 39 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
Hurricanes65%River and rain flooding31%Everything else4%

The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Palm Beach has less expected damage per building than 80% of Florida towns.

Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, West Palm Beach has higher expected damage per building than 57% (#229 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $32.4M, is the 343th largest of those 400.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, FEMA took 43,177 aid registrations from West Palm Beach addresses (the town has 62,464 homes) and flood insurance paid 3 claims for $12K.
A firm figure. It combines 39 census tracts by where West Palm Beach’s residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does West Palm Beach flood? Yes: 281 flood claims since 1978

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Palm Beach, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1978: 2 claims1979: 5 claims1980: 1 claim1981: 1 claim1982: 52 claims1983: 2 claims1984: 6 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 4 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 2 claims1992: 3 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 5 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 7 claims1999: 42 claims2000: 15 claims2001: 7 claims2002: 5 claims2003: 1 claim2004: 86 claims2005: 1 claim2006: 11 claims2007: 1 claim2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 2 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 2 claims2013: 5 claims2014: 7 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 3 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 2 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 1 claim198219992004
19782026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Frances69 claims · $1.8M
  • Hurricane Irene41 claims · $511K
  • Hurricane Jeanne13 claims · $153K
281
paid claims since 1978
$3.9M
paid to owners
29
homes flooded more than once
$14K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (1)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
Community discount25% off flood insurance

West Palm Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.

Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
14buildings retrofitted against wind
8buildings floodproofed
5flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
3flood-prone homes bought out and moved
1home raised above flood level
Disasters

14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Palm Beach

Disasters that paid out in West Palm Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Palm Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Hurricane Milton3,853 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$215K to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs
  2. 2022Hurricane Nicole$159K to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs
  3. 2022Hurricane Ian13,507 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$35K to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs
  4. 2019Hurricane Dorian$196K to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs
  5. 2017Hurricane Irma43,177 households applied for aid$15.8M aid approved$2.8M to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $12K
  6. 2016Hurricane Matthew1 households applied for aid$324K to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs
Show all 14
  1. 2008Tropical Storm Fay$8K to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs
  2. 2005Hurricane Wilma19,097 households applied for aid$14.1M aid approved$9.4M to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  3. 2004Hurricane Jeanne17,312 households applied for aid$20.6M aid approved$3.3M to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $153K
  4. 2004Hurricane Ivan385 households applied for aid$8K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $184K
  5. 2004Hurricane Frances24,793 households applied for aid$24.8M aid approved$6.5M to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs69 flood claims paid for it, $1.8M
  6. 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley2 households applied for aid$17K to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs
  7. 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$596K to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs41 flood claims paid for it, $511K
  8. 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$102K to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in West Palm BeachPalm Beach County only

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.

Were you here?

Old photos of West Palm Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the West Palm Beach archive →
Next door

West Palm Beach and its neighbors

West Palm Beach is 3rd of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Riviera Beach: hazard risk CPalm Beach Gardens: hazard risk CMangonia Park: hazard risk B−Palm Beach: hazard risk C−Lake Clarke Shores: hazard risk CLake Worth Beach: hazard risk C+Riviera BeachPalm Beach GardensMangonia ParkPalm BeachLake Clarke ShoresLake Worth BeachWest Palm Beach
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
Mangonia ParkB−more damage than 52%hurricanes12
Lake Worth BeachC+more damage than 65%hurricanes118
West Palm BeachCmore damage than 65%hurricanes281
Riviera BeachCmore damage than 69%hurricanes92
Palm Beach GardensCmore damage than 70%hurricanes171
Lake Clarke ShoresCmore damage than 73%hurricanes9
Palm BeachC−more damage than 81%hurricanes679

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what West Palm 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.

Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
  • West Palm Beach residents get 25% off flood insurance.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in West Palm Beach

Is West Palm Beach at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Palm Beach has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #126 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (65%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does West Palm Beach flood?

Flood insurance has paid 281 claims in West Palm Beach since 1978, $3.9M in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 29 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (69).

Is West Palm 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 West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach?

By FEMA money that reached West Palm Beach, Hurricane Frances (2004): 24,793 households applied for aid, $24.8M approved, and $6.5M to the City of West Palm Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 69 paid, $1.8M.

Is West Palm Beach at risk from hurricanes?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and West Palm Beach’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Palm Beach.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Palm 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.