Photo: City of Margate · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Margate than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Margate gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #345 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 441 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 Margate’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Margate 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 Margate’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Margate, and Margate’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 46%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #345 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Margate’s residents live in 15 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, Margate has more expected damage per building than 54% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.3M a year in losses across Margate: $12.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Margate flood? Yes: 441 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Margate, from FEMA’s records: 16.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene97 claims · $208K
- Hurricane Wilma34 claims · $228K
- Hurricane Frances23 claims · $77K
Margate is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Margate
Disasters that paid out in Margate itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Margate), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding192 households applied for aid$142K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$52K to the City of Margate for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma8,882 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$2.9M to the City of Margate for repairs20 flood claims paid for it, $336K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma8,786 households applied for aid$5.1M aid approved$8.7M to the City of Margate for repairs34 flood claims paid for it, $228K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$158K to the City of Margate for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances428 households applied for aid$285K aid approved$695K to the City of Margate for repairs23 flood claims paid for it, $77K
Show all 8
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$62K to the City of Margate for repairs97 flood claims paid for it, $208K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$6K to the City of Margate 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 Margate after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Margate archive →Margate and its neighbors
Margate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut Creek | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 41 |
| Coral Springs | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 573 |
| North Lauderdale | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 368 |
| Margate | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 441 |
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 Margate 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.
- Margate 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 Margate
Is Margate at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Margate has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #345 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 Margate flood?
Flood insurance has paid 441 claims in Margate since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 16.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (97).
Is Margate 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 Margate?
Margate 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 Margate?
By FEMA money that reached Margate, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 8,786 households applied for aid, $5.1M approved, and $8.7M to the City of Margate for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 97 paid, $208K.
Is Margate at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Margate’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Margate.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Margate’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.