Photo: RTMGterra · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Lauderhill faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lauderhill gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #343 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 1,021 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 Lauderhill’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lauderhill 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 Lauderhill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lauderhill, and Lauderhill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 46%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #343 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lauderhill’s residents live in 16 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, Lauderhill has more expected damage per building than 54% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.8M a year in losses across Lauderhill: $13.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lauderhill flood? Yes: 1,021 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lauderhill, from FEMA’s records: 33.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene412 claims · $1.9M
- Hurricane Isaac84 claims · $711K
- Hurricane Irma57 claims · $1.0M
Lauderhill is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lauderhill
Disasters that paid out in Lauderhill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lauderhill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton12 households applied for aid$15K to the City of Lauderhill for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,241 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$44K to the City of Lauderhill for repairs42 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$3K to the City of Lauderhill for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian1 households applied for aid$13K to the City of Lauderhill for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$77K to the City of Lauderhill for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma14,516 households applied for aid$5.3M aid approved$4.0M to the City of Lauderhill for repairs57 flood claims paid for it, $1.0M
Show all 14
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$54K to the City of Lauderhill for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$9K to the City of Lauderhill for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma7,941 households applied for aid$6.1M aid approved$7.3M to the City of Lauderhill for repairs57 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$331K to the City of Lauderhill for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$42K to the City of Lauderhill for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances948 households applied for aid$960K aid approved$436K to the City of Lauderhill for repairs
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$43K to the City of Lauderhill for repairs412 flood claims paid for it, $1.9M
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$9K to the City of Lauderhill 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 Lauderhill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lauderhill archive →Lauderhill and its neighbors
Lauderhill is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plantation | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 548 |
| Sunrise | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 544 |
| Boulevard Gardens | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Tamarac | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 475 |
| Lauderhill | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1,021 |
| Roosevelt Gardens | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| Washington Park | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fort Lauderdale | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3,894 |
| 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 Lauderhill 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.
- Lauderhill 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 Lauderhill
Is Lauderhill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lauderhill has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #343 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lauderhill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,021 claims in Lauderhill since 1979, $9.9M in all, or 33.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 58 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (412).
Is Lauderhill 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 Lauderhill?
Lauderhill 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 Lauderhill?
By FEMA money that reached Lauderhill, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 7,941 households applied for aid, $6.1M approved, and $7.3M to the City of Lauderhill for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 412 paid, $1.9M.
Is Lauderhill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Lauderhill’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lauderhill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lauderhill’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.