Photo: Z thomas · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cooper City than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cooper City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #475 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 230 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 Cooper City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cooper City faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Cooper City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cooper City, and Cooper City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 32%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #475 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cooper City’s residents live in 8 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, Cooper City has more expected damage per building than 74% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.0M a year in losses across Cooper City: $14.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cooper City flood? Yes: 230 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cooper City, from FEMA’s records: 19.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene128 claims · $333K
- Hurricane Wilma11 claims · $161K
- Hurricane Eta10 claims · $85K
Cooper City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cooper City
Disasters that paid out in Cooper City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cooper City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$6K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$15K to the City of Cooper City for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma2,361 households applied for aid$556K aid approved$3.4M to the City of Cooper City for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $90K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$29K to the City of Cooper City for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma2,492 households applied for aid$929K aid approved$8.4M to the City of Cooper City for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $161K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$595K to the City of Cooper City for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $17K
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Frances84 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$261K to the City of Cooper City for repairs
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$97K to the City of Cooper City for repairs128 flood claims paid for it, $333K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$6K to the City of Cooper City for repairs
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 Cooper City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cooper City archive →Cooper City and its neighbors
Cooper City is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembroke Pines | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 597 |
| Southwest Ranches | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Davie | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
| Cooper City | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 230 |
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 Cooper City faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cooper City residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cooper City
Is Cooper City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cooper City has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #475 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cooper City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 230 claims in Cooper City since 1979, $1.0M in all, or 19.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (128).
Is Cooper City 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 Cooper City?
Cooper City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Cooper City?
By FEMA money that reached Cooper City, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 2,492 households applied for aid, $929K approved, and $8.4M to the City of Cooper City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 128 paid, $333K.
Is Cooper City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Cooper City’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cooper City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cooper City’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.