West Palm Beach, FL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
West Palm Beach is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Palm Beach County, FL. The county's highest-rated hazards are hurricane, lightning, and inland flooding.
Storm events near West Palm Beach
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of West Palm Beach's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to West Palm Beach itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Palm Beach County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering West Palm Beach along with the rest of the county, not a West Palm Beach-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 95.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 98.9 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 93.4 | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | 44.9 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 98.2 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 93.8 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 92.4 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 94.1 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 43.9 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 99.9 | Very High |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 77.5 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 99.8 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 93.2 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 0 | No Rating |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Palm Beach County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Palm Beach County:
More on Palm Beach County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is West Palm Beach, FL at risk of?
West Palm Beach is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Palm Beach County, where West Palm Beach is located, are hurricane, lightning, and inland flooding.
What is West Palm Beach's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hurricane is the highest-rated hazard for Palm Beach County, where West Palm Beach is located, scoring 99.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is West Palm Beach a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — West Palm Beach carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Palm Beach County.
Has West Palm Beach had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 26 tornado, 61 hail, 62 inland flooding events within 25 miles of West Palm Beach since 2016.