Photo: KeanoManu · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fort Lauderdale than in 86% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Lauderdale gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #391 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 3,894 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 Fort Lauderdale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fort Lauderdale 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
Coastal 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 Fort Lauderdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Lauderdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 43%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #391 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Lauderdale’s residents live in 57 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, Fort Lauderdale has more expected damage per building than 61% of Florida towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Fort Lauderdale has higher expected damage per building than 79% (#317 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $83.5M, is the 145th largest of those 400.
Does Fort Lauderdale flood? Yes: 3,894 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Lauderdale, from FEMA’s records: 38.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April Florida Flooding1,961 claims · $161M
- Hurricane Eta326 claims · $10.3M
- Hurricane Irene232 claims · $1.8M
Fort Lauderdale is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fort Lauderdale
Disasters that paid out in Fort Lauderdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fort Lauderdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton140 households applied for aid$3K aid approved70 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11,135 households applied for aid$28.9M aid approved2,012 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian23 households applied for aid$1K aid approved14 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma48,633 households applied for aid$18.8M aid approved142 flood claims paid for it, $7.2M
- 2005Hurricane Wilma32,380 households applied for aid$21.2M aid approved36 flood claims paid for it, $790K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Frances3,556 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved
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 Fort Lauderdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Lauderdale archive →Fort Lauderdale and its neighbors
Fort Lauderdale is 8th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pompano Beach | C−more damage than 77% | hurricanes | 388 |
| Plantation | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 548 |
| Tamarac | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 475 |
| North Lauderdale | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 368 |
| Dania Beach | C−more damage than 82% | hurricanes | 488 |
| Hollywood | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2,470 |
| Roosevelt Gardens | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| Fort Lauderdale | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3,894 |
| Oakland Park | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 538 |
| Davie | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
| Wilton Manors | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 203 |
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 Fort Lauderdale 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale
Is Fort Lauderdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Lauderdale has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #391 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Lauderdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,894 claims in Fort Lauderdale since 1979, $208M in all, or 38.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 407 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April Florida Flooding (1,961).
Is Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Lauderdale, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 11,135 households applied for aid, $28.9M approved. By flood claims, April Florida Flooding: 1,961 paid, $161M.
Is Fort Lauderdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Fort Lauderdale’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Lauderdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Lauderdale’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.