Delray Beach water, storm and fire damage: who to call

Delray Beach sits in southeastern Palm Beach County, with about 3 miles of Atlantic beachfront and the Intracoastal Waterway running through its eastern side. The settlement began as Linton around 1884, and much of its character comes from a 1920s and 1930s building boom that left bungalows, Key West-style cottages and Mediterranean Revival homes.

If water, smoke or mold has damaged your property, call (866) 937-3230. Fire & Water Energy is strictly a referral service; we try to put you in touch with an independent restoration company that serves Delray Beach, and that business handles the work and pricing directly with you. Availability isn't guaranteed. Read how it works and the disclosure to learn more.

Atlantic hurricanes from 1903 to the present

Wikipedia lists direct or near-direct hurricane hits on the city in 1903, 1906, 1928, 1947, 1949, 1964, 1965, 1979, 1992, 1999, 2004 and 2005. The 1903 storm sank the British steamer Inchulva, whose remains now lie off the public beach as the "Delray Wreck." Hurricane season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to late September.

Rain averages about 61 inches a year over some 143 days, and September is the wettest month at roughly 8 inches. FEMA has included Palm Beach County in declarations for Frances, Ivan and Jeanne (2004), Wilma (2005), Isaac (2012), Matthew (2016), Irma (2017), Dorian (2019), Ian and Nicole (2022) and Milton (2024).

Older cottages, newer condos and the leaks they share

The city has five locally registered historic districts, and homes from the 1920s and 1930s can hide original plumbing, cast-iron drains and roof framing that has been patched many times. Newer condos and townhomes have their own weak points: supply lines to washers and ice makers, AC condensate overflows and leaks that travel from one unit into the one below.

Contractors commonly respond to water damage restoration calls in Delray Beach by locating the source, extracting standing water and drying the structure, then coordinating water damage repair. For historic homes, ask whether the provider has experience with plaster, wood floors and original trim. Our structural drying page explains how wall cavities are dried.

Federal disaster declarations that included Palm Beach County

FEMA records show Palm Beach County was included in 13 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (12 hurricane, 1 severe storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Delray Beach was affected. The most recent:

• 2024 – Hurricane Milton (DR-4834)
• 2022 – Hurricane Nicole (DR-4680)
• 2022 – Hurricane Ian (DR-4673)
• 2019 – Hurricane Dorian (DR-4468)
• 2017 – Hurricane Irma (DR-4337)
• 2016 – Hurricane Matthew (DR-4283)

Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.

Restoring rooms after smoke and fire

Smoke clings to porous surfaces like plaster, wood paneling and upholstery, which are common in the city's older houses. In modern condos, residue can enter shared hallways and ventilation, so building management usually needs to be involved.

A typical contractor will sort salvageable contents, clean or seal stained surfaces and use air scrubbers for odor. Read about fire damage restoration and smoke damage cleanup before you compare estimates.

Coastal storms, wind and flooding

Being close to the ocean and the Intracoastal means wind-driven rain, storm debris and, in some areas, surge can all be part of one event. Water that rises from outside should be considered contaminated, and soaked drywall, insulation and flooring are commonly removed.

Companies that offer hurricane damage cleanup and flood cleanup can tarp roofs, remove debris and dry affected rooms. Palm Beach County's Know Your Zone tool shows whether your address falls in an evacuation zone.

Mold in a tropical rainforest climate

Delray's climate is classified as tropical rainforest, with no truly dry month and summer highs near 90 degrees. Damp closets, bathrooms without exhaust fans and walls behind leaking windows can develop mold quickly.

According to EPA guidance, mold spread over more than about 10 square feet calls for a professional. When talking with a mold remediation company, ask how they'll contain dust and spores, fix the moisture source and confirm the work is complete.

Safety and paperwork for Delray Beach property owners

• Call 911 for fire, injury, a gas smell or downed power lines.
• Stay out of wet areas until electricity is off.
• Sign up for AlertPBC and check your evacuation zone through Palm Beach County Emergency Management, which also publishes a hurricane planning guide.
• Photograph all damage and keep damaged items until your adjuster sees them.
• For historic properties, check whether repairs to the exterior need city review.
• Ask your insurer how your policy treats wind, flood and mold; coverage varies.

Neighborhoods and nearby communities

Areas in and around Delray Beach that callers often mention include:

• Downtown Delray Beach
• Pineapple Grove Arts District
• Lake Ida
• Old School Square

Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Delray Beach):

• Boynton Beach · 4 mi
• Boca Raton · 7 mi
• Deerfield Beach · 10 mi
• Lake Worth · 11 mi
• Greenacres · 12 mi
• Parkland · 15 mi

Restoration guides

• Hurricane Damage Cleanup
• Flood Cleanup
• Water Damage Repair
• Structural Drying
• Mold Remediation
• Fire Damage Restoration

Local resources for Delray Beach residents

• Palm Beach County Office of Emergency Management

Sources

• Wikipedia: Delray Beach, Florida
• Palm Beach County Office of Emergency Management

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