Riviera Beach, located in Palm Beach County, Florida, has a high hurricane risk due to its close proximity to the coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. The town's low elevation, averaging at 10 feet above sea level, compounds the threat as it makes the area vulnerable to storm surge and flooding. Historical data confirms this area's susceptibility to storm-related flooding, most recently demonstrated by Hurricane Irma in 2017. In this instance, significant quantities of rainwater accumulated rapidly due to Irma's slow progression, causing prolonged and extensive flooding in Riviera Beach and surrounding communities.

Looking deeper into the town's hurricane history in the past 30 years, Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Hurricane Wilma in 2005 were two severely destructive events that hit the area with high wind speeds and damaging storm surges. Although Andrew's direct landfall was in the Miami-Dade County, it nonetheless worsened the weather conditions and resulted in moderate damage in Riviera Beach. Wilma, on the other hand, passed directly through Palm Beach County, causing extensive damage. Additionally, hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004 also had significant rain and wind impacts in Riviera Beach. As a result, residents and city officials must maintain readiness with a strong emphasis on flood mitigation due to the town's unique geographical location and elevation profile, along with its history of hurricane impacts.