Photo: Jessica Chesler · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Wilton Manors than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilton Manors gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #557 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 203 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 Wilton Manors’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wilton Manors 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 Wilton Manors’ grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilton Manors, and Wilton Manors’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 26%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #557 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wilton Manors’ residents live in 3 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, Wilton Manors has more expected damage per building than 87% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Wilton Manors: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wilton Manors flood? Yes: 203 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilton Manors, from FEMA’s records: 27.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene27 claims · $130K
- The April Florida Flooding21 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Irma18 claims · $479K
Wilton Manors 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilton Manors
Disasters that paid out in Wilton Manors itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wilton Manors), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding53 households applied for aid$126K aid approved$5K to the City of Wilton Manors for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$79K to the City of Wilton Manors for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma2,082 households applied for aid$648K aid approved$780K to the City of Wilton Manors for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $479K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$10K to the City of Wilton Manors for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$9K to the City of Wilton Manors for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma1,655 households applied for aid$902K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Wilton Manors for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $93K
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$222K to the City of Wilton Manors for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$19K to the City of Wilton Manors for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances69 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$348K to the City of Wilton Manors 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 Wilton Manors after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wilton Manors archive →Wilton Manors and its neighbors
Wilton Manors is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3,894 |
| Oakland Park | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 538 |
| Wilton Manors | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 203 |
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 Wilton Manors 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Wilton Manors
Is Wilton Manors at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilton Manors has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #557 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wilton Manors flood?
Flood insurance has paid 203 claims in Wilton Manors since 1979, $4.7M in all, or 27.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 25 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (27).
Is Wilton Manors 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 Wilton Manors?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilton Manors’ 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 Wilton Manors?
By FEMA money that reached Wilton Manors, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 1,655 households applied for aid, $902K approved, and $1.5M to the City of Wilton Manors for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 27 paid, $130K.
Is Wilton Manors at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Wilton Manors’ rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilton Manors.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilton Manors’ 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.