Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Weston faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weston gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #338 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (44%). Flood insurance has paid 32 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 Weston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Weston 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
Wildfire
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 Weston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Weston, and Weston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 44%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #338 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Weston’s residents live in 13 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, Weston has more expected damage per building than 53% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $25.9M a year in losses across Weston: $23.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Weston flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Weston, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Eta11 claims · $65K
- Hurricane Irma7 claims · $163K
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $27K
Weston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broward County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Weston
Disasters that paid out in Weston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Weston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding33 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$42K to the City of Weston for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,152 households applied for aid$681K aid approved$2.4M to the City of Weston for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $163K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma3,235 households applied for aid$570K aid approved$8.7M to the City of Weston for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$35K to the City of Weston for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances42 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$331K to the City of Weston for repairs
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$74K to the City of Weston for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $27K
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 Weston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Weston archive →Weston and its neighbors
Weston is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 544 |
| 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 |
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 Weston 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- Weston residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Weston
Is Weston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weston has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #338 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Weston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Weston since 1999, $650K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Eta (11).
Is Weston 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 Weston?
Weston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Weston?
By FEMA money that reached Weston, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 3,235 households applied for aid, $570K approved, and $8.7M to the City of Weston for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Eta: 11 paid, $65K.
Is Weston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Weston’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Weston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Weston’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.