County: Palm Beach
ZIP Codes: 33480
Palm Beach, Florida, owing to its geographical positioning, is prone to severe implications from hurricanes. This is particularly due to its coastal location, which exposes it directly to the incoming storm surge of a hurricane. Since Palm Beach is at a low elevation, it lacks natural barriers against flooding caused by hurricanes. Moreover, the town also grapples with stormwater flooding due to heavy rainfall associated with hurricanes; this is exacerbated by the town's relatively flat terrain which impedes effective water runoff. Regarding historical storm perspectives, several major hurricanes have wreaked havoc on Palm Beach over the past three decades. Hurricane Andrew in 1992, although not a direct hit, still caused extensive damage. The memorable hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 both had significant effects on Palm Beach; Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004, and Wilma in 2005, each resulted in billions of dollars in damages across Florida, including Palm Beach. As such, hurricanes represent a serious threat to Palm Beach, necessitating thorough preparations for such events, including extensive evacuation plans and flood mitigation strategies.