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FludZone

Boca Raton, Florida Flood Zones

Boca Raton faces coastal flooding from the Intracoastal Waterway and inland flooding along the Hillsboro Canal in southern Palm Beach County. The city's low elevation and flat terrain make drainage challenging during heavy rainfall events. Boca Raton holds a CRS Class 5 rating, reflecting active floodplain management.

FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Palm Beach County

Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.

Inland Flood Risk

Relatively High

Est. annual loss: $178.9M

Coastal Flood Risk

Relatively High

Est. annual loss: $7.5M

Hurricane Risk

Very High

Est. annual loss: $286.9M

Social Vulnerability: Relatively Moderate
Community Resilience: Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.

Federal Flood Disaster History: Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County has been included in 26 federal flood-related disaster declarations.

2024Hurricane MiltonHurricane
2022Hurricane NicoleHurricane
2022Hurricane IanHurricane
2022Tropical Storm IanHurricane
2020Hurricane IsaiasHurricane
2019Hurricane DorianHurricane
2017Hurricane IrmaHurricane
2016Hurricane MatthewHurricane

...and 18 earlier declarations since 1999.

These declarations affected communities across Palm Beach County, including Boca Raton.

Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.

NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Palm Beach County

Properties in Palm Beach County have filed 10,748 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $69.8M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $6K.

Highest-Claim Years

2004

1,926 claims - $16.5M

1999

1,500 claims - $8.6M

2005

814 claims - $1.4M

Claims by Flood Zone

Zone X

5,211

Zone A

2,625

Zone AE

1,335

Zone AOB

826

Zone AO

148

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced February 2026.

Common Flood Zones in Boca Raton

Properties in Boca Raton, FL are commonly designated in these FEMA flood zones:

What Your Flood Zone Means in Boca Raton

Boca Raton faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Boca Raton are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $178.9M. Properties in Boca Raton's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.

Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Boca Raton means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.

Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Boca Raton address.

Flood Insurance Discount: Boca Raton

Boca Raton participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.

CRS Class

Class 5

SFHA Premium Discount

25% off

CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Boca Raton's Class 5 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 25% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.

Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.

Check Your Boca Raton Address

Enter any Boca Raton, FL address to instantly see its FEMA flood zone, risk level, and whether flood insurance is required.

Free Flood Zone Lookup

Boca Raton, FL Flood Zone FAQ

What flood zones are in Boca Raton, FL?

The most common FEMA flood zones in Boca Raton are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.

Is flood insurance required in Boca Raton?

If your Boca Raton property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since about 25% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.

How do I check my flood zone in Boca Raton?

Enter your Boca Raton address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.

Does Boca Raton offer flood insurance discounts?

Yes. Boca Raton participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 5 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 25% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.

Has Boca Raton experienced major flooding events?

Palm Beach County, where Boca Raton is located, has been part of 26 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Milton in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.

How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Boca Raton?

Palm Beach County has recorded 10,748 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $69.8M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2004, with 1,926 claims and $16.5M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Boca Raton.

Sources

This page summarizes information from FEMA and other official resources in plain language. For full technical details, see the links below.

Sources last verified: February 2026