On FEMA’s figures, Parkland faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parkland gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #410 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 29 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 Parkland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Parkland 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 Parkland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Parkland, and Parkland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 42%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #410 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Parkland’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, Parkland has more expected damage per building than 64% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.5M a year in losses across Parkland: $17.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Parkland flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Parkland, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $32K
- Hurricane Irma5 claims · $70K
- Hurricane Wilma1 claim · $2K
Parkland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Parkland
Disasters that paid out in Parkland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Parkland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,168 households applied for aid$274K aid approved$1.6M to the City of Parkland for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $70K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$5K to the City of Parkland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma2,206 households applied for aid$981K aid approved$6.5M to the City of Parkland for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$68K to the City of Parkland for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1 households applied for aid$870 aid approved$126K to the City of Parkland for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances98 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$752K to the City of Parkland for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$26K to the City of Parkland for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $32K
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 Parkland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Parkland archive →Parkland and its neighbors
Parkland is 3rd of the 3 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 |
| Parkland | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
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 Parkland 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.
- Parkland residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Parkland
Is Parkland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parkland has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #410 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Parkland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Parkland since 1979, $314K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (7).
Is Parkland 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 Parkland?
Parkland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Parkland?
By FEMA money that reached Parkland, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 2,206 households applied for aid, $981K approved, and $6.5M to the City of Parkland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 7 paid, $32K.
Is Parkland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Parkland’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Parkland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Parkland’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.