FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Sunrise than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sunrise gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #306 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (48%). Flood insurance has paid 544 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 Sunrise’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sunrise faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Sunrise’s grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sunrise, and Sunrise’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 48% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #306 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sunrise’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, Sunrise has less expected damage per building than 52% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.4M a year in losses across Sunrise: $20.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sunrise flood? Yes: 544 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sunrise, from FEMA’s records: 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene196 claims · $586K
- Hurricane Wilma40 claims · $302K
- Hurricane Irma26 claims · $389K
Sunrise 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 Sunrise
Disasters that paid out in Sunrise itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sunrise), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding420 households applied for aid$259K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$47K to the City of Sunrise for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian1 households applied for aid$94K to the City of Sunrise for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Sally1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$119K to the City of Sunrise for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma15,392 households applied for aid$5.0M aid approved$4.2M to the City of Sunrise for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $389K
Show all 14
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$128K to the City of Sunrise for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$53K to the City of Sunrise for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma12,559 households applied for aid$6.7M aid approved$8.4M to the City of Sunrise for repairs40 flood claims paid for it, $302K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$149K to the City of Sunrise for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$51K to the City of Sunrise for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances695 households applied for aid$370K aid approved$247K to the City of Sunrise for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $36K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$48K to the City of Sunrise for repairs196 flood claims paid for it, $586K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$15K to the City of Sunrise 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 Sunrise after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sunrise archive →Sunrise and its neighbors
Sunrise is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plantation | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 548 |
| Sunrise | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 544 |
| Weston | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Lauderhill | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1,021 |
| 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 Sunrise faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Sunrise 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 Sunrise
Is Sunrise at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sunrise has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #306 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sunrise flood?
Flood insurance has paid 544 claims in Sunrise since 1979, $2.3M in all, or 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (196).
Is Sunrise 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 Sunrise?
Sunrise 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 Sunrise?
By FEMA money that reached Sunrise, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 12,559 households applied for aid, $6.7M approved, and $8.4M to the City of Sunrise for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 196 paid, $586K.
Is Sunrise at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Sunrise’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sunrise.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sunrise’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.