Lake Clarke Shores, Florida Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Lake Clarke Shores faces flooding from Lake Clarke and the canal system in central Palm Beach County. Heavy tropical rainfall raises lake levels and overwhelms the drainage infrastructure in this small lakeside community.
Palm Beach County has recorded 10,748 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $69.8M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 4
NFIP Policies
153,465
Palm Beach County
Avg. Premium
$507/yr
Palm Beach County
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 HighEst. annual loss: $178.9M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $7.5M
Hurricane Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $286.9M
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.
...and 18 earlier declarations since 1999.
These declarations affected communities across Palm Beach County, including Lake Clarke Shores.
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
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Palm Beach County
An estimated 26% of households in Palm Beach County carry NFIP flood insurance.
Penetration Rate
26%
Claims Ratio
1 in 14
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$6,491
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County has 339 properties with multiple flood losses, including 23 severe repetitive loss properties. 12 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
339
Severe Rep. Loss
23
Mitigated
12
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: PALM BEACH County
NOAA has recorded 99 flood events in PALM BEACH County since 1996, causing $136.1M in damage and 2 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Palm Beach County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 131 properties in Palm Beach County, investing $26.1M in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Lake Clarke Shores
Lake Clarke Shores faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Lake Clarke Shores are Zone AE, Zone AH, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $178.9M.
Riverine flood risk in Lake Clarke Shores is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. 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.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Lake Clarke Shores address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Lake Clarke Shores
Lake Clarke Shores 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 8
SFHA Premium Discount
10% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Lake Clarke Shores's Class 8 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 10% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Lake Clarke Shores, FL Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Lake Clarke Shores, FL?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Lake Clarke Shores are Zone AE, Zone AH, 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 Lake Clarke Shores?
If your Lake Clarke Shores 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 over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Lake Clarke Shores?
Enter your Lake Clarke Shores 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 Lake Clarke Shores offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Lake Clarke Shores participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 8 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 10% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Lake Clarke Shores experienced major flooding events?
Palm Beach County, where Lake Clarke Shores 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 Lake Clarke Shores?
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 Lake Clarke Shores.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Lake Clarke Shores?
Palm Beach County currently has 153,465 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $507. The most policies are in Zone X (86,992 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Lake Clarke Shores properties have flooded repeatedly?
Palm Beach County has 339 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 23 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Lake Clarke Shores property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Lake Clarke Shores?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Lake Clarke Shores's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Florida Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Lake Clarke Shores, FL Address
Enter a Lake Clarke Shores, FL address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.