County: Palm Beach
ZIP Codes: 33428
Watergate, Florida, located in Palm Beach County, is relatively inland compared to other Florida cities, yet its proximity to Florida's East Coast means it's not entirely immune to the influences of tropical storm systems, including hurricanes. It maintains a typical low Florida elevation, which elevates the risk of flooding, especially during significant tropical events that pack heavy, sustained rainfall. Historically, the region has indeed dealt with flooding issues, particularly during the hurricane season. In recent history, Hurricane Irma in 2017 had a major impact in the Watergate area. The city was one of the areas to experience significant winds and rain, resulting in structural damage and power outages to a large portion of the area. Prior to this, in 2005, Hurricane Wilma caused considerable damage to the town's infrastructure and homes, a testament to how unpredictable hurricane paths can be. Given such historical precedents, an emergency response plan considering high wind impacts, flooding risks, power outages, and potential evacuations is merited for Watergate, Florida.