Hurricane and Flood

Know Your Flood Hazard

To assist residents in understanding the flood hazard and the effects on construction, remodeling, and maintaining buildings, the City offers the following free services to residents. Call the Building Division today at 561-586-1647 to find out:

• In which flood zone your property is located.

• If your property is in an area predicted to flood in the future

• If your property is located in an area that has previously had flooding problems.

• If your property is located near an area that should be protected because of its natural floodplain functions.

• If an elevation certificate is on file for a building.

Have a Plan

Understand our local alert notification systems and know what you should do, so you are prepared to evacuate or take actions to protect your property when flooding is imminent. Residents should be aware that Lake Worth is directed by Palm Beach County Emergency Management Division who will advise our community of impending storms and flood threats. Stay tuned to local television and radio stations and the Weather Channel for up-to-the-minute information. For more information about emergency notification, go to the Palm Beach County website at pbcgov.com

Safety Tips

For your own safety, there is no substitute for advance planning and preparation for flood events. Do not drive around road barriers. Roads may not be distinguishable from canals. Do not walk through flowing water. As little as six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Evacuate the area as soon as the order is given or sooner if possible! If evacuation becomes necessary be sure to turn off all utility services at the main connection.

Know How to Protect Your Property

There are practical and cost-effective methods for reducing or eliminating your property's exposure to flooding. Check your building for water entry points such as doors, low windows, and dryer vents. These can be protected by the construction of low walls, barriers, or berms to keep water away from the building. You could elevate the building, elevate electrical equipment, and install backflow valves. Find more information at FEMA's website ready.gov/floods. City Staff members are available to provide property protection consultations including site visits and drainage evaluations. Call the Building Division at 561.586.1647 for advice.

Build Responsibly!

Any development in the floodplain requires a building permit. Always check with the Building Division before you alter, re-grade, or bring fill onto your property to ensure that projects do not cause drainage problems for you or your neighbors. Call 561.586.1647.

Drainage System Maintenance

The City’s Stormwater Division has a certified, technical staff and fleets of heavy equipment that work to maintain proper drainage and to prevent pollutants from reaching inlets and storm drains that lead into our coastal waterways. The Streets Division cleans drains before and after rain events and major storms. You can help by reporting blocked drains and keeping garbage and debris away from the drains. It is prohibited and unlawful to deposit anything that is not identified as acceptable stormwater directly or indirectly into the stormwater system. If you witness unlawful dumping, please call the Public Works Division at 561.533.7346 to report it immediately!

Flood Warning System

Flood watches (when conditions are right for flooding) and flood warnings (flooding is imminent) will be issued by the National Weather Service and broadcast over television and radio stations.

In the event a major hurricane threatens Palm Beach County, many low-lying coastal areas will be inundated to varying depth by the storm surge and exceptionally high tides which accompany the storm. Tides 3-4’ above normal could occur 24-36 hours before the “EYE” of the hurricane reaches the coastline. Many main coastal roads could be inundated well in advance of the storm’s arrival, thus restricting or denying their use as evacuation routes.

Persons living or working in these areas should be prepared to evacuate as soon as hurricane warnings are announced and see shelter in hotels or motels, an American Red Cross shelter, or in a friend or relative’s home outside of the storm surge area. Evacuation should be completed early to avoid gale force winds and heavy rains that preceded the storm’s arrival.

Visit Palm Beach County Emergency Management System Storm Surge Map at https://palm-beach-county-flood-mapping-repository-pbcgov.hub.arcgis.com/apps/4a6ef68d8152443481dc4075c3360a32/explore