Hurricane Risk for West Palm Beach, FL
No tropical storms currently threaten the West Palm Beach area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1852, 219 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of West Palm Beach. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Milton (2024)
Passed within 122 miles of West Palm Beach on October 10, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 5 (178 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Wilma (2005)
Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 68 miles of West Palm Beach.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1888)
Passed just 2.3 miles from West Palm Beach on September 08, 1888.
When hurricanes hit West Palm Beach
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1852:
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
Sign Up FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones West Palm Beach residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imelda | 2025 | Cat 1 | 175 mi | Sep 29, 2025 |
| Milton | 2024 | Cat 5 | 122 mi | Oct 10, 2024 |
| Nicole | 2022 | Cat 1 | 44 mi | Nov 10, 2022 |
| Ian | 2022 | Cat 5 | 93 mi | Sep 29, 2022 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 194 mi | Jul 07, 2021 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 36 mi | Aug 02, 2020 |
| Sally | 2020 | Cat 2 | 77 mi | Sep 12, 2020 |
| Eta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 131 mi | Nov 09, 2020 |
| Dorian | 2019 | Cat 5 | 97 mi | Sep 03, 2019 |
| Humberto | 2019 | Cat 3 | 176 mi | Sep 15, 2019 |
| Irma | 2017 | Cat 5 | 101 mi | Sep 11, 2017 |
| Matthew | 2016 | Cat 5 | 66 mi | Oct 07, 2016 |
| Arthur | 2014 | Cat 2 | 76 mi | Jul 01, 2014 |
| Sandy | 2012 | Cat 3 | 178 mi | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Irene | 2011 | Cat 3 | 178 mi | Aug 25, 2011 |
| Hanna | 2008 | Cat 1 | 141 mi | Sep 05, 2008 |
| Andrea | 2007 | Cat 1 | 128 mi | May 11, 2007 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 55 mi | Aug 30, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. West Palm Beach is in Palm Beach County — look up your evacuation zone here.
- Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.