FEMA puts Coconut Creek’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coconut Creek gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #297 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (53%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Coconut Creek’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Coconut Creek faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Coconut Creek’s grade
Hurricanes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Coconut Creek, and Coconut Creek’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #297 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Coconut Creek’s residents live in 15 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Coconut Creek has less expected damage per building than 54% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.5M a year in losses across Coconut Creek: $15.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Coconut Creek flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Coconut Creek, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene10 claims · $10K
- Hurricane Irma2 claims · $64K
- Hurricane Frances2 claims · $5K
Coconut Creek is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Coconut Creek
Disasters that paid out in Coconut Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Coconut Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$36K to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding65 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$24K to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma5,077 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$2.0M to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $64K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$24K to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$4K to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs
Show all 12
- 2005Hurricane Wilma5,607 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$7.8M to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$90K to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$156K to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances295 households applied for aid$199K aid approved$710K to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $5K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$6K to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $10K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$12K to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $399
Broward County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Broward County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Coconut Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Coconut Creek archive →Coconut Creek and its neighbors
Coconut Creek has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut Creek | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 41 |
| Coral Springs | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 573 |
| Margate | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 441 |
| Parkland | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Hillsboro Pines | — | 457 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Coconut Creek faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Coconut Creek residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Coconut Creek
Is Coconut Creek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coconut Creek has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #297 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (53%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Coconut Creek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Coconut Creek since 1979, $144K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (10).
Is Coconut Creek in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Broward County, 76% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 19.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Coconut Creek?
Coconut Creek is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Coconut Creek?
By FEMA money that reached Coconut Creek, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 5,607 households applied for aid, $2.7M approved, and $7.8M to the City of Coconut Creek for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 10 paid, $10K.
Is Coconut Creek at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Coconut Creek’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Coconut Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Coconut Creek’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.