Natural Disaster Risk in South Bay
Florida
Risk Summary for South Bay
South Bay scores 7.2/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Hurricane.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: South Bay, Florida
South Bay, in Palm Beach County, is a town of roughly 5,158 residents situated near the Atlantic Coast of the southeastern United States. Its tropical climate brings warm temperatures year-round and high humidity, and in particular a June–November hurricane season that defines the risk landscape. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that South Bay residents and property owners must navigate.
South Bay's overall natural disaster risk is rated 7.2/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Tropical cyclones are the dominant hazard, with the area facing threats from both direct landfalling hurricanes and the outer rain bands and storm surge of systems making landfall nearby. Secondary hazards include lightning and coastal flood.
Within Florida, South Bay's risk is, slightly above the 5.7/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Palm Beach County identifies hurricane as the foremost hazard, followed by lightning and coastal flood. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, South Bay residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for hurricane and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.
What this means for South Bay: Hurricane preparedness
- Keep at least a week of supplies on hand; power and water service can be disrupted for days after landfall.
- Wind damage is usually covered by homeowners insurance, but storm-surge flooding requires separate flood coverage.
- Know your evacuation zone and route before hurricane season begins each June.
Local Factors for South Bay
These city-level factors differentiate South Bay from other communities in Palm Beach County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
5,158
Small TownGeographic Zone
SE Atlantic Coast
Hurricane & coastal flood risk
Climate Band
Warm Subtropical
Latitude 26.5°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 9.6/10
Coordinates
26.4756° N, 80.7231° W
Palm Beach County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for South Bay
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in South Bay
Other cities in Florida
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.