The City of West Palm Beach is at the forefront of flood zone management. The City of West Palm Beach currently maintains a Community Rating System (CRS) Class 5, which equates to a 25% discount on all National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies issued in the City of West Palm Beach.

In our ongoing effort to ensure our residents and property owners have the most up-to-date flood plain information, the City has launched Forerunner. We are the first government in Palm Beach County to bring this innovative technology to our residents.

With Forerunner, simply input your West Palm Beach address into the interactive GIS mapping program, and among the information provided will be:

• Flood information
  • Is the parcel in an Otherwise Protected Area (OPA)
  • Base Flood Elevation (BFE)
  • Design Flood Elevation
• Links to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
• Parcel information

The information collected by Forerunner minimizes errors in elevation statistics and helps the City gain a better Community Rating System (CRS) Class rating. The City of West Palm Beach has achieved a CRS Class 5 rating which provides a 25% discount for all NFIP policies issued in the City. You can check your property flood zone using our new Forerunner interactive map.

Click for a list of Elevation Certificates

Everyone Should Know Their Flood Zone

Call the City at (561) 805-6705 to find out in which flood zone your property is located, if it is subject to coastal erosion, if it is in an area that has had flooding problems previously, or if it is located in an area that should be protected due to its natural floodplain functions. You can also go to the Palm Beach County Flood Zone Determination System website and type in your address to find your flood zone. Even if you are not located in the Special Flood Hazard Area, your property may be subject to flooding.

Purchase Flood Insurance to Protect Your Property

• Homeowner’s insurance policies typically do not cover damage from floods. Flood insurance is available to everyone, even properties that have been flooded and those that are not in a flood zone. Because our community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System, you will receive a discount on the insurance premium. Look for the discount on your flood insurance bill.
• Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required by the bank when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the building’s structure and not the contents. Be sure you have contents coverage.
• If you rent or lease your home or business’ building, you should protect the contents with a flood insurance policy.
• Don't wait for the next flood to buy flood insurance protection. In most cases, there is a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect.
• Contact your insurance agent for more information on rates and coverage, or visit the www.FloodSmart.gov website or call (888) 379-9531) to find an insurance agent and to learn other valuable information.
• Call the City at (561) 805-6705 for flood insurance advice.

Read the City of West Palm Beach Hurricane Readiness Guide

The guide provides information on how to prepare for a storm and how to keep your family safe.

Call for Advice on How to Protect Your Property from Flood Damage

City Staff will offer advice and visit properties upon request to review its flood problem and explain ways to stop or prevent flood damage. Please contact the City at (561) 805-6705. You should know what to do to minimize flood damage to your property.

Build Responsibly to Protect Your and Your Neighbors' Property from Flood Damage

Always obtain a permit before you make any improvements to your property. Contact the Development Services Department before you alter or re-grade, or before you perform any improvements to your property at (561) 805-6700, or to report violations. To save time and money, if you are unsure of whether or not a permit is required to perform specific work, the best advice is to call the Development Services Department and discuss your plans with the City staff.

Natural Flood Water Storage Areas - Protect Them!

Help protect our natural areas, such as Grassy Waters Everglades Preserve and other water catchment areas. They help with flood protection because they act as natural storage areas for flood waters, reduce the possibility of flooding nearby residences, reduce flood water velocity, and help to recharge the groundwater aquifer. Read more about the importance of Grassy Waters Everglades Preserve and how it impacts our community.  Read the regulations that protect our valuable natural resources.

Stormwater Drainage System Maintenance

The Stormwater Drainage Division inspects the drainage system regularly and removes blockages that are found or reported. Even in the midst of flood events, this department’s crews are inspecting drainage problem areas. If you see any blockages to the drainage system call the Stormwater Drainage Division at (561) 822-2222.

When the drainage system is blocked, water from heavy rainfall can’t drain properly and can then back up into yards and potentially damage your property. Help the drainage system do its job!

• If you live near areas where waters flow, you can help by keeping storm drain grates and the banks clear of brush and debris.
  Keep gutters and inlets free of debris and trash
• If your property is near a catch basin, help keep the area clear of brush and debris.
  Swale areas are designed to collect the rain water. Do not damage the swales and keep them free of debris.
• If rain is predicted, put loose items inside that could potentially block the drainage system.
• It is a violation of our City Ordinances to dump debris of any sort, including grass clippings, into ditches, canals, storm drains or any part of the drainage system. Report violations to (561) 822-2222.

Go to Palm Beach County Emergency Management Know Your Zone website and:

• Make a Plan – Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility
  • Locate evacuation shelters near your area
  • Special Needs Shelters and registration information
  • Make a Family Disaster Plan and practice it with family members
  • Read the Palm Beach County Hurricane Survival Guide in English or Spanish
  • Pet disaster planning
  • Disaster Transportation Assistance
  • Evacuation Zones
• Build a Kit
  
  • Emergency Supply Shopping List
  • Gas stations, Publix stores, Lowe's and Home Depot stores powered generator
• Get Involved
  
  • Volunteer to support disaster efforts in your community.
• Be Informed
  
  • Knowing where to turn to for reliable, up-to-date emergency information is key to making it through a disaster.

Go to the Palm Beach County Flood Awareness Directory for information you should know, such as:

• Current Water Conditions
  
  • Real Time Telemetry Rainfall Readings
  • National Weather Service Watch, Warning, Advisory Status
• FEMA Flood Maps
• Flood Facts
• Types and Causes of Flooding in Palm Beach County
• Assessing Your Personal Risk
• Do-It Yourself Assessment Tools
• Do You Live in a High Flood Risk Area?
• Palm Beach County Flood, Storm Surge and Hurricane Warning System
• Do I Need Flood Insurance?
• Evacuation Information – If mandatory evacuations are issued, you must leave
  
  • Hurricane/Storm Surge Evacuation Zone Maps and Instructions
  • Primary Evacuation Routes
• Storm Surge Inundation Map
• What Can I Do to Reduce the Risk of Flood Damage?
• Safety and Recovery Tips Before, During and After a Flood
• Flood Programs
• Flood Zone Contacts
• Glossary of Flood Terms

Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise poses many challenges for coastal areas, such as saltwater intrusion into underground aquifers, the main source of fresh drinking water for much of South Florida.

The City of West Palm Beach is working aggressively to mitigate the effects of sea level rise . Visit the Office of Sustainability to learn about climate change and more. Sign up to receive the Rethink Paradise Newsletter today!

The Southeast Regional Climate Change Compact is a partnership between Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach Counties, to work collaboratively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, implement adaption strategies, and build climate resilience across the Southeast Florida region. Find out more here.