County: Palm Beach
ZIP Codes: 33435
Briny Breezes, Florida, due to its coastal location, runs a substantial risk for hurricane threats and the destructive impacts thereof, including but not limited to high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge flooding. The town's elevation, sitting just above sea level, combined with its location on the Intracoastal Waterway, makes it particularly vulnerable to storm surge flooding, as strong storms have the potential to push sea water onto land and through the waterway causing significant flooding. In addition to this, heavy flooding can occur from the intensity and duration of rain during such events. This can be further exacerbated if the ground is already saturated prior to the hurricane making landfall, from previous rainfall. Historically, a number of major hurricanes have delivered significant impacts to Briny Breezes over the last 30 years. One of the notable is Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which caused widespread damage across the region in terms of strong winds and flooding. More recently, 2005's Hurricane Wilma also had a severe impact on the area, particularly in relation to power outages, fallen trees, infrastructural damage, and flooding. Further, the exceptional rainfall during the passage of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 also created challenges with flooding in the town. Overall, while safety measures and preparation can serve to mitigate some risks, the town's geographical and environmental factors may amplify the potential storm impacts.