On FEMA’s figures, North Lauderdale faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Lauderdale gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #348 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (47%). Flood insurance has paid 368 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 North Lauderdale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Lauderdale 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 North Lauderdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Lauderdale, and North Lauderdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 47%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #348 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Lauderdale’s residents live in 13 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, North Lauderdale has more expected damage per building than 54% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.6M a year in losses across North Lauderdale: $7.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Lauderdale flood? Yes: 368 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Lauderdale, from FEMA’s records: 22.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene124 claims · $348K
- Hurricane Wilma28 claims · $366K
- Hurricane Isaac16 claims · $61K
North Lauderdale is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Lauderdale
Disasters that paid out in North Lauderdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Lauderdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding275 households applied for aid$225K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$20K to the City of North Lauderdale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma8,720 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$1.9M to the City of North Lauderdale for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $137K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$22K to the City of North Lauderdale for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma4,433 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$4.2M to the City of North Lauderdale for repairs28 flood claims paid for it, $366K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$112K to the City of North Lauderdale for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Frances352 households applied for aid$260K aid approved$158K to the City of North Lauderdale for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$38K to the City of North Lauderdale for repairs124 flood claims paid for it, $348K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$5K to the City of North Lauderdale 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 North Lauderdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Lauderdale archive →North Lauderdale and its neighbors
North Lauderdale is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamarac | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 475 |
| Margate | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 441 |
| North Lauderdale | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 368 |
| Fort Lauderdale | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3,894 |
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 North Lauderdale 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.
- North Lauderdale 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 North Lauderdale
Is North Lauderdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Lauderdale has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #348 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Lauderdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 368 claims in North Lauderdale since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 22.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (124).
Is North Lauderdale 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 North Lauderdale?
North Lauderdale 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 North Lauderdale?
By FEMA money that reached North Lauderdale, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 4,433 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $4.2M to the City of North Lauderdale for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 124 paid, $348K.
Is North Lauderdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and North Lauderdale’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Lauderdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Lauderdale’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.