FEMA puts Broadway’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Broadway gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Broadway 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
Tornadoes
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 Broadway’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Broadway, and Broadway’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Broadway’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $396K a year in losses across Broadway: $280K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Broadway flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Broadway, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $20K
Broadway isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lee County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Broadway
Disasters that paid out in Broadway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Broadway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence73 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Matthew52 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$7K to the Town of Broadway for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $20K
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$3K to the Town of Broadway for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel1 households applied for aid$912 aid approved
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$7K to the Town of Broadway for repairs
Lee County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Broadway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Broadway archive →Get ready for what Broadway 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Broadway
Is Broadway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Broadway has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Broadway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Broadway since 2016, $20K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Broadway 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 Lee County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Broadway?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Broadway’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 Broadway?
By FEMA money that reached Broadway, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 52 households applied for aid, $32K approved, and $7K to the Town of Broadway for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $20K.
Is Broadway at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Broadway’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Broadway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Broadway’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.