Hurricanes do not need a direct hit to disrupt high‑rise living in West Palm Beach. Between wind, storm surge, and heavy rain, a condo can face unique risks that single‑family homes do not. You deserve a clear, condo‑specific plan that fits your building and your insurance. Below, you’ll find what to do before, during, and after a storm, plus how association rules and coverage affect your out‑of‑pocket costs. Let’s dive in.
West Palm Beach hurricane risks
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with peak activity in late summer. In our area, the biggest threats are extreme winds, storm surge along the coast and Intracoastal, and freshwater flooding from heavy rain. Local evacuation decisions often hinge on surge risk, not just wind.
Map your zone and alerts
Use Palm Beach County’s tools to look up your address, evacuation zone, flood zone, evacuation routes, and shelter options. You can also sign up for countywide emergency notifications through AlertPBC on the same page. Start with the county’s Know Your Zone resource to confirm your address status and shelter plans. (Palm Beach County Know Your Zone)
The City of West Palm Beach publishes flood information and an interactive map, and it participates in FEMA’s Community Rating System at Class 5. That CRS rating currently provides a 25% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums for policies in the city. Review the city’s flood resources and confirm your address on the map. (City of West Palm Beach Flood Information)
FEMA issued updated flood maps effective December 20, 2024. Many properties in Palm Beach County saw changes in flood zone designation, so check your address and discuss any lender or insurance impacts. (FEMA Flood Maps update)
Association vs unit owner duties
Florida’s Condominium Act assigns associations broad responsibility for common elements, structural components, and insurance for the condominium property. Boards must adopt hurricane‑protection specifications for buildings, and a board cannot refuse a unit owner’s installation if it conforms to those specifications. Always review your recorded declaration and recent meeting minutes to see how your building allocates responsibilities and costs. (Florida Condominium Act overview; Hurricane protection rules)
Insurance to confirm now
Associations are required to carry property insurance and may have separate hurricane wind deductibles, often percentage‑based on building values. Ask your board or management for the master policy declarations, deductible amounts, and the date of the most recent replacement‑cost appraisal. These deductibles can be large and may lead to special assessments. (Association insurance and reserves; Hurricane deductible basics)
Your unit‑owner policy (HO‑6) typically covers “walls‑in” finishes, personal property, liability, loss of use, and loss‑assessment coverage for your share of certain association costs. Standard HO‑6 policies do not cover flood, so consider NFIP or private flood coverage. NFIP policies generally carry a 30‑day waiting period, so do not wait until a storm is on the map. If your association carries an NFIP Residential Condominium Building Association Policy (RCBAP) for the building, verify how it coordinates with your unit policy. (NFIP policy rules and waiting periods)
Early‑season condo checklist
- Look up your evacuation and flood zones, routes, and shelters, then enroll in AlertPBC.
- Request the association’s master policy summary and the current deductible amounts; verify reserves or plans to fund deductibles.
- Review your HO‑6 and flood coverage; consider increasing loss‑assessment coverage and check policy limits.
- Photograph your interiors and valuables, then store copies of key documents in a waterproof container and secure cloud storage.
- Confirm the building’s hurricane‑protection standards for windows, doors, and shutters; align any unit upgrades with board specifications.
- Ask management about standby generator capacity, elevator plans, and communication procedures if power is out.
- If your building is evaluating impact windows or roof work, check whether the state’s mitigation programs are open and applicable to your association. (State program updates and grants)
48 to 72 hours: what to do
- Follow official evacuation orders if your address is in a mandatory zone. Leaving early reduces congestion and risk. Review current routes and shelter locations before you decide to stay or go. (West Palm Beach evacuation routes)
- Bring balcony furniture, planters, and door mats inside if your governing documents allow, and unplug sensitive electronics. Protect windows and doors per your building’s specifications. Boards may not refuse conforming hurricane‑protection installations. (Hurricane protection rules)
- Anticipate elevator outages during and after the storm. If someone in your household has mobility or medical needs, coordinate with management and review the county’s special‑needs shelter information through the zone lookup tool. (Know Your Zone)
Generator safety basics
Many associations restrict portable generators, so confirm your building’s rules first. If permitted, always run generators outdoors, far from windows and doors, and use carbon‑monoxide alarms. Whole‑building standby generators are an association responsibility; ask about fuel capacity and maintenance dates. (Condo preparedness best practices)
After the storm: document and report
Photograph all damage before cleanup. Send copies to your association and your insurers promptly. Associations usually file claims for common areas, while unit owners file HO‑6 and any flood claims for contents and interiors. Use licensed contractors, get multiple bids, and follow your association’s contracting rules to avoid scams. (Condo preparedness best practices)
If you are buying or selling
If you are evaluating a West Palm Beach condo, ask for the building’s hurricane‑protection specifications, the master insurance declarations and hurricane deductible, the latest reserve study, and any recent milestone or structural integrity reports. Confirm flood zone status under the updated FEMA maps and whether the city’s CRS discount applies to your policy. If the association is considering mitigation projects like impact windows or roof work, check the status of state grant programs that could offset costs. (FEMA Flood Maps update; State program updates and grants)
You do not have to plan for hurricane season alone. If you are preparing to buy, sell, or need property management support, reach out to Michelle Rinaldi for building‑specific guidance and a calm, concierge plan that fits your goals.
FAQs
What hurricane season means for West Palm Beach condos
- Atlantic season runs June to November, and local risks include wind, storm surge along the coast and Intracoastal, and heavy rain that can cause flooding.
How to find my evacuation and flood zones
- Use Palm Beach County’s Know Your Zone lookup to get your address‑specific evacuation zone, flood zone, routes, and shelter options.
What my condo association insurance typically covers
- The master policy usually covers the building shell, roofs, and common areas, while your HO‑6 covers interiors, personal property, liability, loss of use, and loss‑assessment coverage; flood requires separate NFIP or private policies.
How hurricane deductibles affect my out‑of‑pocket costs
- Associations often carry percentage hurricane deductibles that can lead to special assessments; many owners add or increase loss‑assessment coverage on their HO‑6 to help manage this risk.
Why flood insurance matters even outside high‑risk zones
- Flooding can occur beyond high‑risk areas, NFIP policies typically have a 30‑day waiting period, and West Palm Beach’s CRS rating may reduce NFIP premiums for eligible city policies.
