Photo: Ven-Lib · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hollywood than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hollywood gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #369 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 2,470 claims here since 1978.
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 Hollywood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hollywood 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 Hollywood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hollywood, and Hollywood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 43%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #369 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hollywood’s residents live in 41 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, Hollywood has more expected damage per building than 58% of Florida towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Hollywood has higher expected damage per building than 77% (#307 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $51.1M, is the 240th largest of those 400.
Does Hollywood flood? Yes: 2,470 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hollywood, from FEMA’s records: 33.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April Florida Flooding480 claims · $30.3M
- Hurricane Irene339 claims · $1.5M
- Hurricane Irma164 claims · $4.0M
Hollywood is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hollywood
Disasters that paid out in Hollywood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hollywood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton94 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$48K to the City of Hollywood for repairs133 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,160 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$1.8M to the City of Hollywood for repairs499 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian13 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$29K to the City of Hollywood for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$81K to the City of Hollywood for repairs97 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma35,448 households applied for aid$13.0M aid approved$9.8M to the City of Hollywood for repairs164 flood claims paid for it, $4.0M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$108K to the City of Hollywood for repairs
Show all 13
- 2005Hurricane Wilma21,375 households applied for aid$9.9M aid approved$28.1M to the City of Hollywood for repairs36 flood claims paid for it, $763K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$2.8M to the City of Hollywood for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$198K to the City of Hollywood for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances1,204 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$2.3M to the City of Hollywood for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$123K to the City of Hollywood for repairs304 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$1.0M to the City of Hollywood for repairs339 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$51K to the City of Hollywood 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 Hollywood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hollywood archive →Hollywood and its neighbors
Hollywood is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hallandale Beach | C+more damage than 58% | hurricanes | 1,374 |
| Pembroke Park | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 85 |
| Pembroke Pines | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 597 |
| Dania Beach | C−more damage than 82% | hurricanes | 488 |
| Hollywood | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2,470 |
| Fort Lauderdale | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3,894 |
| Davie | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
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 Hollywood 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.
- Hollywood 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 Hollywood
Is Hollywood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hollywood has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #369 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hollywood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,470 claims in Hollywood since 1978, $61.7M in all, or 33.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 335 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April Florida Flooding (480).
Is Hollywood 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 Hollywood?
Hollywood 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 Hollywood?
By FEMA money that reached Hollywood, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 21,375 households applied for aid, $9.9M approved, and $28.1M to the City of Hollywood for repairs. By flood claims, April Florida Flooding: 480 paid, $30.3M.
Is Hollywood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Hollywood’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hollywood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hollywood’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.