FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lauderdale Lakes than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lauderdale Lakes gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #403 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 431 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 Lauderdale Lakes’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lauderdale Lakes 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 Lauderdale Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lauderdale Lakes, and Lauderdale Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 39%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #403 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lauderdale Lakes’ residents live in 10 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, Lauderdale Lakes has more expected damage per building than 63% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.7M a year in losses across Lauderdale Lakes: $8.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lauderdale Lakes flood? Yes: 431 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lauderdale Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 29.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene131 claims · $408K
- Hurricane Wilma49 claims · $436K
- Hurricane Isaac29 claims · $170K
Lauderdale Lakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Broward County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lauderdale Lakes
Disasters that paid out in Lauderdale Lakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lauderdale Lakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding505 households applied for aid$351K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$30K to the City of Lauderdale Lakes for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma7,553 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Lauderdale Lakes for repairs23 flood claims paid for it, $172K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$6K to the City of Lauderdale Lakes for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$3K to the City of Lauderdale Lakes for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma3,980 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$2.4M to the City of Lauderdale Lakes for repairs49 flood claims paid for it, $436K
Show all 12
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$79K to the City of Lauderdale Lakes for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1 households applied for aid$13K to the City of Lauderdale Lakes for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances597 households applied for aid$677K aid approved$138K to the City of Lauderdale Lakes for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $70K
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$750 to the City of Lauderdale Lakes for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$7K to the City of Lauderdale Lakes for repairs131 flood claims paid for it, $408K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$10K to the City of Lauderdale Lakes 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 Lauderdale Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lauderdale Lakes archive →Lauderdale Lakes and its neighbors
Lauderdale Lakes is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamarac | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 475 |
| Lauderhill | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1,021 |
| Fort Lauderdale | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3,894 |
| Oakland Park | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 538 |
| Lauderdale Lakes | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 431 |
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 Lauderdale Lakes 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lauderdale Lakes
Is Lauderdale Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lauderdale Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #403 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lauderdale Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 431 claims in Lauderdale Lakes since 1979, $2.0M in all, or 29.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 25 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (131).
Is Lauderdale Lakes 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 Lauderdale Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lauderdale Lakes’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lauderdale Lakes?
By FEMA money that reached Lauderdale Lakes, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 3,980 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved, and $2.4M to the City of Lauderdale Lakes for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 131 paid, $408K.
Is Lauderdale Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Lauderdale Lakes’ rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lauderdale Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lauderdale Lakes’ 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.