Photo: Rey Valls · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Southwest Ranches than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southwest Ranches gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #374 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hurricanes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1999.
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 Southwest Ranches’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Southwest Ranches 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 Southwest Ranches’ grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southwest Ranches, and Southwest Ranches’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 41%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #374 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Southwest Ranches’ residents live in 7 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, Southwest Ranches has more expected damage per building than 59% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Southwest Ranches: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southwest Ranches flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southwest Ranches, from FEMA’s records: 17.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Eta24 claims · $394K
- Hurricane Irma7 claims · $80K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $10K
Southwest Ranches is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Southwest Ranches
Disasters that paid out in Southwest Ranches itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Southwest Ranches), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$3K to the Town of Southwest Ranches for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma603 households applied for aid$206K aid approved$4.0M to the Town of Southwest Ranches for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $80K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma1,016 households applied for aid$713K aid approved$11.2M to the Town of Southwest Ranches for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $25K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$1.1M to the Town of Southwest Ranches for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances24 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$388K to the Town of Southwest Ranches 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 Southwest Ranches after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southwest Ranches archive →Southwest Ranches and its neighbors
Southwest Ranches is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembroke Pines | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 597 |
| Weston | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Southwest Ranches | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Davie | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
| Cooper City | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 230 |
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 Southwest Ranches 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.
- Southwest Ranches 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 Southwest Ranches
Is Southwest Ranches at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southwest Ranches has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #374 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hurricanes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Southwest Ranches flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Southwest Ranches since 1999, $603K in all, or 17.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Eta (24).
Is Southwest Ranches 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 Southwest Ranches?
Southwest Ranches 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 Southwest Ranches?
By FEMA money that reached Southwest Ranches, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 1,016 households applied for aid, $713K approved, and $11.2M to the Town of Southwest Ranches for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Eta: 24 paid, $394K.
Is Southwest Ranches at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Southwest Ranches’ rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southwest Ranches.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southwest Ranches’ 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.