West Palm Beach and the water around it
West Palm Beach is the seat and largest city of Palm Beach County, with 117,415 residents in the 2020 census, at about 16 feet above sea level. Its eastern edge faces the Lake Worth Lagoon, with the Town of Palm Beach across it on a barrier island, and in the northwest the Grassy Waters preserve holds the city's drinking water. The city also supplies water and sewer service to the Town of Palm Beach.
When water gets where it should not, call (844) 906-3984. Dominion Water Damage is a free phone line, not a restoration company. The automated assistant asks what happened and transfers you to an independent, locally owned company that serves West Palm Beach and the surrounding county. That company inspects, quotes, does the work and is paid by you directly.
A city built in a boom
West Palm Beach's population quadrupled between 1920 and 1927. Many of the neighborhoods from that boom are now city historic districts, and their houses bring their own water damage questions: old roofs, original plaster, wood floors and plumbing replaced in pieces over a century.
Old Northwood
Developed from 1920 to 1927, with Mediterranean Revival, Mission and frame vernacular houses. A city historic district since 1991.
Flamingo Park
Homes built from 1921 to 1930, mostly Mission style, with Mediterranean Revival houses along the ridge. A city historic district since 1993.
El Cid, Grandview Heights, Prospect Park
More boom-era districts, designated by the city from 1993 to 1995, with Mediterranean Revival and Mission homes.
Four local facts worth knowing
Hurricanes have reshaped this city
The 1928 Okeechobee hurricane devastated West Palm Beach two years after the 1926 Miami hurricane, and Frances, Jeanne and Wilma in 2004 and 2005 caused property damage and power outages across the city.
King tides reach downtown
During the late September 2026 king tides, WLRN carried a meteorologist's post, tagged to the National Weather Service in Miami, with photos of Flagler and Pershing at high tide and high surf.
Outside the flood zone is not safe from flooding
The city warns that a property can flood even when it is not in a special flood hazard area, and that you can ask whether a property sits in an area with past flooding problems.
Keep the drains clear
The city's stormwater division asks residents to keep grates, gutters, inlets and swales clear, says dumping yard waste into drainage violates city ordinances, and takes blockage reports at 561-822-2222.
Flood insurance notes from the city
The City of West Palm Beach's flood page makes several points worth repeating. Homeowners policies generally do not cover flood damage, and flood insurance is available even outside flood zones. Mortgage-required flood policies often cover only the building, so check for contents coverage; renters should insure contents too. The city's Community Rating System Class 5 rating means a 25 percent discount on NFIP policies. And coverage typically starts after a 30-day waiting period, so buying it with a storm on the way is too late.
The line does not give insurance advice; your agent can tell you what your policies cover.
Services available in West Palm Beach
- Emergency water removal for active leaks, water heaters and AC drain overflows
- Flood damage cleanup after heavy rain, tides or surge
- Water damage repair, with care for plaster, wood floors and historic finishes
- Mold after water damage, handled by a mold specialist
Elsewhere in Palm Beach County, including the Town of Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, the same free number works. Say your town when you call.
Say you are in West Palm Beach, your neighborhood, and what happened. If your home is in a historic district, mention it.
Other South Florida towns
- All of Florida
- Miami
- Fort Lauderdale
- Boca Raton
- Miami Beach
- Pompano Beach
- Coral Springs
- Hollywood
- Doral
- Pembroke Pines
- Hialeah
- Miami Gardens
- Deerfield Beach
- Coral Gables
- Kendall
- Homestead
- Miami Lakes
- Miramar
About this line: Dominion Water Damage is a free phone line, not a restoration company. It answers your call and connects you with an independent local water damage restoration company, which inspects, quotes and does the work, and which you pay directly. Companies may pay a referral fee. You never pay the line. See how the line works.