County: Palm Beach
ZIP Codes: 33438
Canal Point, Florida, located in Palm Beach County, is not devoid of hurricane threats despite its relative distance from the coast. The town is fairly low in elevation, around 16 feet, making it quite susceptible to flooding, notably if the hurricanes carry a significant storm surge or cause heavy rainfall for a prolonged period. The area is located close to Lake Okeechobee, which can also raise concerns about inland flooding from the potential for lake overflows during extreme weather events. There are also considerations for high wind damage due to its flat, open terrain that provides little to no barriers for incoming hurricane winds. Regarding historical precedent, Canal Point has been well within the path of multiple major hurricanes over the past 30 years. An instance of this is Hurricane Wilma in 2005, which caused substantial damage to properties in the area due to the strong winds and heavy rainfalls. Furthermore, the town experienced severe flooding and a wide range of other damages during Hurricane Irma's rampage across Florida in 2017. It appears that flooding, both from rainfall and potential lake overflow, is one of the persistent threats for Canal Point, leading to the need for effective flood management and hurricane preparedness plans by the community.