West Palm Beach, Florida, is located along the Gold Coast of Florida and has, due to its coastal location and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, a heightened risk from hurricanes and tropical cyclones. The city's relatively low elevation, with an average height of just 10 feet above sea level, considerably increases its susceptibility to storm surges and flooding. Historical data has shown that the town has experienced significant flood risks from past storm events. Even storms that do not make a direct hit can still cause severe surge flooding due to the city's location. The Intracoastal Waterway running through the city can also act as a pathway for storm surge, increasing the risk of inland flooding. West Palm Beach has been hit by multiple major hurricanes in the last thirty years. Perhaps the most significant of these was Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which caused widespread damage across Southern Florida, and more recently Hurricane Irma, in 2017, which resulted in massive displacement of people and significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Additionally, Hurricane Frances in 2004 led to destructive flood damage, demonstrating the city's heightened risk to these events. As climate change continues to drive sea-level rise and potentially increase the intensity of hurricanes, these factors need to be seriously considered in West Palm Beach's disaster planning.