Broward County Flood Zones
County seat: Fort Lauderdale. 1,946,127 residents. Coastal county — Southeast Florida (Atlantic).
Flood risk in Broward County
Located in the southeast region, Broward County faces significant flood hazards driven by its coastal geography and a history of intense tropical systems. As a coastal jurisdiction, the area contends with extreme storm surge risk alongside high rain flood risk, creating a compounded threat for the nearly two million residents across major cities like Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines. This vulnerability is underscored by a pattern of FEMA-declared disasters, including the impacts of Hurricane Milton in 2024 and Hurricane Irma in 2017, which tested local infrastructure and emergency response capabilities. The frequent landfall of systems such as Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and Tropical Storm Nicole in 2022 further illustrates the persistent nature of the threat, where both ocean-driven flooding and heavy rainfall events can overwhelm drainage systems. Residents and property buyers must recognize that flood exposure in this area is not limited to high-risk coastal zones but extends inland due to the region's low elevation and saturation from repeated storms. Verify your specific flood zone and evacuation status with local authorities before purchasing property or renewing insurance policies.
Risk profile
Situated in the southeast region, this coastal county contends with extreme storm surge risk and high rain flood risk across its major cities. Population centers like Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines have been impacted by multiple FEMA-declared hurricanes, including Milton in 2024 and Irma in 2017. The hazard profile reflects a history of repeated tropical system impacts within the region.
Recent FEMA-declared storms
Tropical systems that triggered federal disaster declarations covering Broward County (most recent first):
- Hurricane Milton (2024)
- TS Nicole (2022)
- Hurricane Ian (2022)
- Hurricane Isaias (2020)
- Hurricane Dorian (2019)
- Hurricane Irma (2017)
- Hurricane Matthew (2016)
- Hurricane Rita (2005)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
Major cities in Broward County
- Fort Lauderdale190,641
- Pembroke Pines179,326
- Hollywood159,073
- Miramar143,242
- Coral Springs140,808
Source: US Census SUB-EST 2024.
Buying or selling in Broward?
Buying or selling in Broward County? A local Florida agent can tell you how flood zone affects price, insurance, and closing.
FAQ
What flood zones are in Broward County?
Broward County contains a mix of FEMA flood zones. Coastal and low-lying areas typically fall in Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones AE, A, VE), while higher-elevation areas are usually Zone X. Use the lookup tool above to check any specific address against the live National Flood Hazard Layer.
What hurricanes have impacted Broward County recently?
Storms that triggered FEMA disaster declarations covering Broward County since 2019: Milton (2024), Nicole (2022), Ian (2022), Isaias (2020), Dorian (2019). Federal disaster declarations cover both direct landfall counties and surrounding counties eligible for federal assistance.
Is flood insurance required in Broward County?
Flood insurance is federally required for any property in a Special Flood Hazard Area (zones beginning with A or V) that has a federally backed mortgage. In Zone X it is optional but often inexpensive. The lookup tool above tells you whether a specific address falls in an SFHA.
How does storm surge affect Broward County?
As a Southeast Florida (Atlantic) county, Broward faces extreme storm surge risk during tropical systems. Storm surge is separate from rainfall flooding and is not always reflected in FEMA flood zone designations — check your county's evacuation zone as well.
What is the population of Broward County?
1,946,127 residents (ACS5 2023, US Census). The county seat is Fort Lauderdale.
Sources: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations, US Census Bureau (ACS 5-year, SUB-EST 2024), Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Flood zone designations and risk profiles change over time — always verify with the official lookup before making property decisions.