Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Plantation’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plantation gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #290 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (50%). Flood insurance has paid 548 claims here since 1978.
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 Plantation’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Plantation 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 Plantation’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plantation, and Plantation’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 50%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #290 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Plantation’s residents live in 22 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, Plantation has less expected damage per building than 55% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $31.3M a year in losses across Plantation: $27.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plantation flood? Yes: 548 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plantation, from FEMA’s records: 13.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene177 claims · $606K
- Hurricane Eta47 claims · $1.0M
- The April Florida Flooding34 claims · $869K
Plantation 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 Plantation
Disasters that paid out in Plantation itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Plantation), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton11 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding377 households applied for aid$227K aid approved$80K to the City of Plantation for repairs35 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian1 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$11K to the City of Plantation for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma11,328 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$17.8M to the City of Plantation for repairs23 flood claims paid for it, $343K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$55K to the City of Plantation for repairs
Show all 14
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$29K to the City of Plantation for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma10,789 households applied for aid$5.1M aid approved$31.2M to the City of Plantation for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $287K
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$6K to the City of Plantation for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$2.3M to the City of Plantation for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$146K to the City of Plantation for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances406 households applied for aid$338K aid approved$1.7M to the City of Plantation for repairs
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$117K to the City of Plantation for repairs177 flood claims paid for it, $606K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$91K to the City of Plantation 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 Plantation after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plantation archive →Plantation and its neighbors
Plantation is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadview Park | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Plantation | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 548 |
| Sunrise | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 544 |
| Lauderhill | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1,021 |
| Fort Lauderdale | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3,894 |
| Davie | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
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 Plantation 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.
- Plantation 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 Plantation
Is Plantation at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plantation has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #290 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (50%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Plantation flood?
Flood insurance has paid 548 claims in Plantation since 1978, $4.3M in all, or 13.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 24 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (177).
Is Plantation 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 Plantation?
Plantation 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 Plantation?
By FEMA money that reached Plantation, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 10,789 households applied for aid, $5.1M approved, and $31.2M to the City of Plantation for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 177 paid, $606K.
Is Plantation at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Plantation’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plantation.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plantation’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.