​Flooding In Palm Beach County

Several factors contribute to Palm Beach County's flooding. Among these are rainfall intensity, rainfall duration, surface conditions, topography, and poor natural drainage. An increasingly significant contributing factor is rapid water runoff associated with the vast areas of impervious surfaces created by new development, often creating flood prone areas where they didn't previously exist.  Flooding often occurs as a result of extended wet periods that create saturated soil conditions, after which additional rain causes surface ponding or overflows catchment canals and ponds.  Intense or prolonged concentrated rain is the primary cause of localized flooding throughout the county.  Maintenance of major drainage canals and pumps is critical to managing the area's water levels, as is keeping neighborhood drainage systems free from obstructions. The task of managing water levels is slowed and complicated by our flat terrain.

Palm Beach County's coastal areas are susceptible to storm-surge flooding, which is a sudden and massive buildup of water levels by the force of onshore winds produced by tropical storms and hurricanes. Water levels of 12 feet or more can overflow normally dry lands with devastating results. The severity of flooding can vary significantly based on a variety of factors such as storm intensity, forward speed, angle of attack, the slope of continental shelf, tidal conditions, etc. The northern and southern coastal areas of the county are somewhat more susceptible to surge flooding than are the central sections.

Improbable, but very serious flood threats include the potential overtopping of Lake Okeechobee or a breach of the Herbert Hoover Dike that helps contain the Lake. An event like the 1928 hurricane flooding which killed thousands in western Palm Beach County remains a worst-case flood disaster scenario.

King Tide

A King Tide is the non-scientific term used to describe exceptionally high tides. King Tides occur annually and predictably; in September through November in Palm Beach County. King Tides may cause residents to experience "sunny day flooding" where a street or other areas will temporarily become flooded when it is not raining.

Tides occur as a result of the moon's gravitational pull on oceans. The height of tides depend mostly on where the moon is in its 28-day orbit around the Earth and on every 14th day, the moon and the sun line up with the Earth, creating these higher tides. That's why you can expect to see a higher tides on the same day you observe a full moon or a new moon! Some king tides are higher than others based on how close the moon is to the Earth at that time.

Days when we expect the highest tides in 2025 are:

​Flood Insurance

Flooding can occur anywhere at any time. Even if you are not required to have flood insurance, serious consideration should be given to purchasing it anyway.

Business insurance may cover fire and wind damage, but virtually never covers damage from flooding...nature's most common natural disaster. Damages associated with floods can easily total $25,000 or more.... sometimes much more.

Without flood insurance, losses must be covered out of pocket. Some limited relief might be obtainable through government aid. But, government assistance is not available automatically. It is offered only when the President makes an official disaster declaration. Less than half of flooding events are "declared disasters." Declarations require rather widespread damage. Most often, when government aid is available, it comes in the form of an interest bearing loan.

REMINDER:

New flood insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect.  Talk to your insurance agent about your coverage needs today.

National Flood Insurance Program

Because Palm Beach County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, all county businesses qualify to apply for NFIP flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program coordinates floodplain management and development. The program helps state, county and municipalities and agencies to develop, implement, and maintain appropriate floodplain management regulations. Administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers federally backed insurance money to communities that agree to adopt and enforce minimum standards for flood plain management to reduce future flood damage. Palm Beach County is an active participant in the NFIP. The county's codes and ordinances meet or exceed NFIP standards.

​Know the difference between EVACUATION ZONE and FLOOD ZONE

Go to discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem/Pages/Know-Your-Zone.aspx

Click HERE for Real-Time Rain Gauge information provided by
South Florida Water Management District

• For properties within unincorporated Palm Beach County only, call 561-233-5374 or email floodzone@pbc.gov to learn if a property is in a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area, may be affected by coastal erosion, is in an area that has been flooded repeatedly, if it’s in an area that should be protected due to its natural floodplain functions, and to determine if an Elevation Certificate is on file for a property.
  
  
• Residents living in unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County can call 561-233-5374 for flood insurance technical assistance.
  
  
• Local authorities will issue flood watches (when conditions are likely for flooding) and flood warnings (when flooding is imminent). Monitor local media, The Weather Channel, or a NOAA weather radio for emergency updates. Sign up for AlertPBC, Palm Beach County’s Emergency Notification System at alertpbc.com. Visit readypbc.com to learn about local emergency shelters and evacuations. Be informed and prepared for hurricanes. Like us on Facebook @PBCDEM. Follow us on X and Instagram @PBCDEM.

• For properties within unincorporated Palm Beach County only, if you have drainage problems on your property, or are considering improvements, County staff can offer property protection advice and/or provide a site visit. Call the PBC Flood Zone Request Line at 561-233-5374.
  
  
• For issues only related to storm drains: If you live in an HOA community, please contact your HOA. If you live on a County maintained road, please call the Palm Beach County Road and Bridge Division at 561-684-4000. Or, if you live in a neighborhood that is part of an Improvement District (ITID, SIRWCD, NPBCPD, etc.), please contact your respective Improvement District.