Photo: Richard Mc Neil · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Lighthouse Point faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lighthouse Point gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #389 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 76 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 Lighthouse Point’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lighthouse Point 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
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 Lighthouse Point’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lighthouse Point, and Lighthouse Point’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #389 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lighthouse Point’s residents live in 4 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, Lighthouse Point has more expected damage per building than 61% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Lighthouse Point: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lighthouse Point flood? Sometimes: 76 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lighthouse Point, from FEMA’s records: 12.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $28K
- Hurricane Wilma3 claims · $14K
- Hurricane Frances2 claims · $104K
Lighthouse Point is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lighthouse Point
Disasters that paid out in Lighthouse Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lighthouse Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$34K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$104K to the City of Lighthouse Point for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma793 households applied for aid$208K aid approved$804K to the City of Lighthouse Point for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $100K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$50K to the City of Lighthouse Point for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$11K to the City of Lighthouse Point for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma1,331 households applied for aid$734K aid approved$2.5M to the City of Lighthouse Point for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $14K
Show all 11
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$137K to the City of Lighthouse Point for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$52K to the City of Lighthouse Point for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances73 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$267K to the City of Lighthouse Point for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $104K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$39K to the City of Lighthouse Point for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $28K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$2K to the City of Lighthouse Point 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 Lighthouse Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lighthouse Point archive →Lighthouse Point and its neighbors
Lighthouse Point is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Lighthouse Point 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.
- 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.
- Lighthouse Point 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 Lighthouse Point
Is Lighthouse Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lighthouse Point has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #389 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lighthouse Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 76 claims in Lighthouse Point since 1979, $667K in all, or 12.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (5).
Is Lighthouse Point 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 Lighthouse Point?
Lighthouse Point 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 Lighthouse Point?
By FEMA money that reached Lighthouse Point, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 1,331 households applied for aid, $734K approved, and $2.5M to the City of Lighthouse Point for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $28K.
Is Lighthouse Point at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Lighthouse Point’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lighthouse Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lighthouse Point’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.