City Responds to Historic Rainfall and Widespread Flooding

Published on November 03, 2026

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Kathleen Joy, Director of Communications

City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office

Phone: (561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

Email: kjoy@wpb.org

 

City of West Palm Beach Responds to Historic Rainfall and Widespread Flooding

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (November 3, 2026) – The City of West Palm Beach continues to respond to widespread flooding following an extraordinary rainfall event that has impacted neighborhoods, roadways, and City operations. The historic rainfall has overwhelmed portions of the stormwater system, resulting in significant standing water across multiple areas of the City.

According to the National Weather Service, West Palm Beach recorded 7.39 inches of rainfall on November 2, shattering the previous daily record of 2.52 inches set in 1925. The storm on November 1 -2 brought an official two-day total of 11.67 inches of rainfall, more than three times the City's average rainfall for the entire month of November.

Preliminary rainfall reports indicate that isolated areas experienced even greater rainfall totals, with portions of northern Palm Beach County potentially exceeding thresholds associated with a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event.

City crews continue working around the clock to address flooding, clear storm drain grates, and maintain critical infrastructure. The extraordinary volume of rainfall has exceeded the system's capacity to move water as quickly as it is accumulating. As a result, standing water may persist in some areas until rainfall subsides and water levels recede. The sanitary sewer system is operating at maximum capacity, but local flooding is temporarily impeding work crews’ ability to access certain facilities. As floodwaters recede, Public Utilities teams will be dispatched to assess all facilities for proper operations.

Public Utilities crews remain deployed throughout impacted areas, actively monitoring conditions, maintaining operations, and utilizing all available resources to manage flooding.

Public safety remains the City's top priority. Police and Fire Rescue remain fully operational, and emergency response capabilities have not been impacted.

Residents Urged to Avoid Flooded Areas

The City strongly encourages residents and motorists to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel through impacted neighborhoods.

  • Never drive through flooded roadways. If you encounter standing water, turn around and seek an alternate route.

  • Avoid walking through floodwaters, which may conceal hazards.

  • Limit unnecessary travel in areas experiencing significant flooding.

  • Report neighborhood flooding or standing water by calling (561) 822-2222.

City crews will continue monitoring conditions and addressing areas of concern as conditions allow.

Impacts to City Services and Facilities

Residential Garbage Collection

Flooding in multiple areas caused service delays in some neighborhoods. Residents in Jonathan’s Cove and Lakes of Laguna should place any excess bagged garbage next to their carts for collection on Thursday, November 5.

 

Bulk and yard waste could not be collected in Turtle Cove on Tuesday. Residents of this community should pull items from the curb and place back out, along with any excess items, for pickup on Tuesday, November 10.

 

Contact Public Works at (561) 822-2075 with any additional questions or concerns.

 

Grassy Waters Preserve

The Grassy Waters Nature Center and Cypress Boardwalk are closed until further notice due to flooding. The City will provide updates regarding reopening as conditions improve and facilities can safely accommodate visitors.

Continued Response and Updates

The City of West Palm Beach will continue coordinating across departments, deploying available resources, and monitoring conditions throughout impacted areas. While the extraordinary volume of rainfall has placed significant demands on the City's stormwater infrastructure, crews are utilizing available equipment, personnel, and emergency resources to support recovery efforts.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, avoid flooded areas, and monitor the City's official communication channels for additional updates.

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About the City of West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic city on Florida's Atlantic coast. With a rich history, thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region and the central city of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing waterfront city that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the area with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit our official website or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn. To contact the City of West Palm Beach, please dial (561) 822-1200 (TTY 800 955-8771). 

 

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