FEMA puts West Park’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Park gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #233 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (54%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1991.
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 West Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Park 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 West Park’s grade
Hurricanes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Park, and West Park’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts).
C #233 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Park’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, West Park has less expected damage per building than 64% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across West Park: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Park flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Park, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June South Florida Flooding4 claims · $206K
- Hurricane Irma4 claims · $27K
- Hurricane Eta3 claims · $55K
West Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Broward County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Park
Disasters that paid out in West Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding76 households applied for aid$78K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian1 households applied for aid$10K to the City of West Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$4K to the City of West Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,089 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$653K to the City of West Park for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $27K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$17K to the City of West Park for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma1 households applied for aid$66K to the City of West Park 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 West Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Park archive →West Park and its neighbors
West Park 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembroke Park | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 85 |
| West Park | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 25 |
| Miramar | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 653 |
| Miami Gardens | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 144 |
| Ives Estates | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 West Park 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Park
Is West Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Park has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #233 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (54%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in West Park since 1991, $468K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from June South Florida Flooding (4).
Is West Park 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 West Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Park’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in West Park?
By FEMA money that reached West Park, Hurricane Irma (2017): 4,089 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $653K to the City of West Park for repairs. By flood claims, June South Florida Flooding: 4 paid, $206K.
Is West Park at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and West Park’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Park’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.