Photo: Yanjipy · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Hillsboro Beach’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillsboro Beach gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 27 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 Hillsboro Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hillsboro Beach 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 Hillsboro Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hillsboro Beach, and Hillsboro Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hillsboro Beach’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $768K a year in losses across Hillsboro Beach: $686K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hillsboro Beach flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hillsboro Beach, from FEMA’s records: 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Opal11 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Irma4 claims · $61K
- Hurricane Wilma1 claim · $6K
Hillsboro Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hillsboro Beach
Disasters that paid out in Hillsboro Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hillsboro Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$3.9M to the Town of Hillsboro Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma91 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$3.7M to the Town of Hillsboro Beach for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $61K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$2.0M to the Town of Hillsboro Beach for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma134 households applied for aid$42K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$8K to the Town of Hillsboro Beach for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Frances8 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$4.8M to the Town of Hillsboro Beach 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 Hillsboro Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hillsboro Beach archive →Hillsboro Beach and its neighbors
Hillsboro Beach 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro Beach | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 27 |
| Pompano Beach | C−more damage than 77% | hurricanes | 388 |
| Deerfield Beach | C−more damage than 81% | hurricanes | 138 |
| Lighthouse Point | Dmore damage than 86% | hurricanes | 76 |
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 Hillsboro Beach 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.
- Hillsboro Beach residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hillsboro Beach
Is Hillsboro Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillsboro Beach has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (35%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hillsboro Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Hillsboro Beach since 1979, $1.5M in all, or 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Opal (11).
Is Hillsboro Beach 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 Hillsboro Beach?
Hillsboro Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Hillsboro Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Hillsboro Beach, Hurricane Frances (2004): 8 households applied for aid, $1K approved, and $4.8M to the Town of Hillsboro Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Opal: 11 paid, $1.1M.
Is Hillsboro Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Hillsboro Beach’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hillsboro Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hillsboro Beach’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.