West Palm Beach, FL natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in West Palm Beach comes from hurricanes, and overall the risk is moderate for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 281 claims here since 1978. 14 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsHow exposed is West Palm Beach?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in West Palm Beach to be higher than in 59% of U.S. communities, mostly from hurricanes and inland flooding.
What West Palm Beach faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how that compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Inland flooding
Lower here
Not a risk here
Does West Palm Beach flood?
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Palm Beach, from FEMA’s records.
Biggest named events
- Hurricane Frances: 69 claims, $1.8M
- Hurricane Irene: 41 claims, $511K
- Hurricane Jeanne: 13 claims, $153K
Homes that flooded again and again
■ FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (1) ■ flooded 2+ times
are insured
are insured
What’s been done with FEMA grants
14 federal disasters brought FEMA money here
Disasters the President declared that paid out in West Palm Beach itself: aid to households, or repair grants to the City of West Palm Beach.
Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Nicole
Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Dorian
Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Matthew
Tropical Storm Fay
Hurricane Wilma
Hurricane Jeanne
Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Frances
Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley
Fl-Hurricane Irene-Dr-Req
Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations
West Palm Beach and the towns around it
How to read this page
FEMA’s expected losses across West Palm Beach total about $34.0M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); 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. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau.