Broward County, FL FAQs

Is Broward County Florida A Good Place To Live?

Broward County, FL

Broward County is often described as one of the best examples in American diversity, a character traceable to its founding in 1915. To create the county’s territory then, Palm Beach to Broward’s north and Dade to the south yielded nearly equal parts of their respective areas.

Broward County today covers 1,320 square miles on the southeastern seaboard of Florida. Together with its neighbors Palm Beach and Miami-Dade, Broward forms part of the three-county region comprising the South Florida metropolitan area. This county was named after Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, governor of Florida from 1905 to 1909, noted for his campaign to create useful land out of the Everglades which eventually opened up acreage for the development for much of Broward County.

Strength in Numbers

Broward’s diverse character shows in its population density which is the second highest in Florida at close to 1.94 million, next only to Miami-Dade’s 2.75 million as of the latest census in 2017. Like its two counterparts in the South Florida region, Broward’s population growth has been rapid and sustained, rising by 10.7 percent from 2010 to 2017.

Several factors seduce new residents to consider calling Broward County home, given the eclectic features of its residential hubs. At the county seat, Fort Lauderdale, a robust tourist and travel trade plus its vibrant boating industry bolsters the city’s economy. Its housing sector is as dynamic as well with downtown high rise condos among the popular choices.

Greater Fort Lauderdale boasts too of over 23-miles of beaches offering a wide variety of experience such as boating, fishing, and or parasailing. With just a two-hour trip, Fort Lauderdale residents can visit the Everglades National Park. This 1.5 million-acre protected area is a thriving habitat for wildlife endemic to the South Florida ecosystem.

More besides Beaches

The quality of life is as wonderful at Deerfield Beach where the recreational activities go way beyond water-based pleasures and extend to several world-class golf courses. Moving inland, the choices on golf links multiply many times over at Pembroke Pines wherein lots of retirees have already settled. A bit northward in Sunrise, sports action shifts to another level at the BB&T Center, the home of the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers.

An ever-expanding selection of shopping and dining venues is very much part of the various Broward County communities. One notable commercial hub in the county is the 2.1 million square-foot supermall Sawgrass Mills. Another is the Festival Flea Market Mall in Pompano Beach, touted as the biggest indoor flea market locally.

The Tech Factor

Broward County in recent years has likewise emerged as a hospitable ground for entrepreneurs, especially techies and startups, because of the incentives it offers to business locators. This has resulted in Broward-based tech companies gaining the advantage of operating at relatively lower costs compared to their competitors in the northeast U.S. and the West Coast.

The county, moreover, takes pride in the pool of talents that its 40 universities and colleges can provide to local business and industry. The county hence has drawn regional headquarters of well-established tech companies, like Microsoft and Oracle. The county too has an international airport allowing easy access to lucrative markets in Europe and Latin America. Moving forward, this gateway no doubt shall continue as a driver to the diverse makeup that has been a source of strength for Broward County.

References:

Are there any Broward County, FL Sinkholes news?

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL

May 2019 – A sinkhole formed in Deerfield Beach, Broward County on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, when a car crashed into a fire hydrant.

COOPER CITY, FL
May 2018 – A large sinkhole formed outside Cooper City’s Biltmore Grove gated community after AT&T workers busted a water main near the neighborhood’s entrance.

PEMBROKE PINES CITY, FL
Aug 2017 – A sinkhole opened up in Pembroke Pines, blocking an entrance and exit to a shopping plaza just south of Pines Boulevard.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
Feb 2017 – A large sinkhole formed in Fort Lauderdale along 24th Avenue, just north of Davie Boulevard.

CORAL SPRINGS CITY, FL
Aug 2016 – A sinkhole opened up under Loise Ogwin’s Coral Springs house.

COOPER CITY, FL
July 2016 – A vehicle is partially swallowed by a 10-foot-by-10-foot sinkhole on Thursday, July 7, 2016 in Cooper City.

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Find Nearby Foreclosures

South Florida’s unique geology makes it perfect for sinkholes, thanks to its porous limestone bedrock. The Florida Geological Survey shows how water dissolves this rock, creating underground cavities. These cavities collapse when they can’t handle the weight above, shaping the area’s landscape.

The 2008 FDEP/FCIT sinkhole map lists 127 incidents in the area. Weston and Fort Lauderdale see more sinkholes because their limestone is closer to the surface. Pompano Beach also has many, but urban growth makes it harder to see the natural processes at work.

Not all sinkholes are natural. The FDEP has rules to tell the difference between natural and man-made sinkholes. For example, a 2019 Deerfield Beach collapse and a 2017 Fort Lauderdale depression are tracked on an interactive sinkhole map.

Knowing about these patterns helps people understand the risks. It also guides how to plan for the area’s infrastructure. The FDEP’s data on limestone porosity explains why some areas are more unstable than others.

Recent & Notable Sinkhole Incidents / Case Studies

Broward County’s karst landscape has seen many sinkholes, with most near cities. Two big incidents are well-documented. They give us important clues about the area’s geological risks.

Weston Commercial Complex Collapse (2009)

A sudden 35-foot-wide sinkhole appeared near Bonaventure Boulevard. It took parts of a retail complex’s parking lot. The cost to fix it was over $1.2 million.

FDEP found that changes in the water table caused it. The area has high-density limestone cavities just below the surface.

Tamarac Residential Neighborhood Event (2016)

Four homes on NW 68th Avenue had to be evacuated due to a sinkhole. It was 19 feet deep and damaged the foundations. Geological surveys showed the bedrock was weak.

Changes to drainage systems made things worse. Fixing the damage took 11 months because of the complex underground issues.

Incident	Depth	Trigger Factors	Economic Impact
2009 Weston	22-28 ft	Seasonal rainfall + Commercial runoff	$1.2M repairs
2016 Tamarac	18-24 ft	Drainage changes + Limestone erosion	4 homes displaced

These incidents show how vulnerable Broward County is to sinkholes. FDEP’s map shows 83% of sinkholes are near water management systems.

Risk Factors & What Homeowners Should Do

Broward County FL residents face unique challenges due to the geology. Three main factors lead to sinkholes: being close to karst zones, having wide structural fractures, and sudden changes in groundwater levels. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has maps showing risky areas.

Geological Vulnerability Indicators

Properties near subsidence events or with fresh cracks need quick action. Changes in groundwater can signal a sinkhole, seen in murky well water or new ponds. The Florida Geological Survey links these signs to 83% of sinkholes in Broward County from 2010.

Recommended Immediate Actions

Homeowners seeing signs should take photos and call the Broward County Environmental Protection Division at 954-519-1499. Experts suggest getting certified geological inspectors for ground movement. If there’s a collapse, call 911 and then the insurance company.

Small depressions should be filled with coarse sand, not organic debris. Insurance in Broward County Sinkhole FL areas often covers fixing the ground. Regular checks and monitoring the water are key for safety.

FAQ

Why is Broward County particularily vulnerable to sinkholes?

Broward County’s karst topography has porous limestone bedrock that dissolves over time. This creates underground cavities. The Florida Geological Survey’s 2008 sinkhole map shows 127 incidents countywide. Weston, Fort Lauderdale, and Pompano Beach are most affected due to their geological vulnerability and urban development.

What distinguishes natural sinkholes from man-made subsidence in FDEP classifications?

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection checks for sinkholes through geological evidence. They look for limestone cavity collapse. This is different from subsidence caused by human activities like pipe leaks or excavation. FDEP requires depth measurements, bedrock analysis, and proof of no artificial causes for classification.

How did the 2009 Weston sinkhole impact local infrastructure?

The 2009 Weston sinkhole on Bonaventure Boulevard caused a 35-foot-wide crater. It damaged roads and utilities, costing Why is Broward County particularily vulnerable to sinkholes?Broward County’s karst topography has porous limestone bedrock that dissolves over time. This creates underground cavities. The Florida Geological Survey’s 2008 sinkhole map shows 127 incidents countywide. Weston, Fort Lauderdale, and Pompano Beach are most affected due to their geological vulnerability and urban development.What distinguishes natural sinkholes from man-made subsidence in FDEP classifications?The Florida Department of Environmental Protection checks for sinkholes through geological evidence. They look for limestone cavity collapse. This is different from subsidence caused by human activities like pipe leaks or excavation. FDEP requires depth measurements, bedrock analysis, and proof of no artificial causes for classification.How did the 2009 Weston sinkhole impact local infrastructure?The 2009 Weston sinkhole on Bonaventure Boulevard caused a 35-foot-wide crater. It damaged roads and utilities, costing

FAQ

Why is Broward County particularily vulnerable to sinkholes?

What distinguishes natural sinkholes from man-made subsidence in FDEP classifications?

How did the 2009 Weston sinkhole impact local infrastructure?

The 2009 Weston sinkhole on Bonaventure Boulevard caused a 35-foot-wide crater. It damaged roads and utilities, costing

FAQ

Why is Broward County particularily vulnerable to sinkholes?

What distinguishes natural sinkholes from man-made subsidence in FDEP classifications?

How did the 2009 Weston sinkhole impact local infrastructure?

The 2009 Weston sinkhole on Bonaventure Boulevard caused a 35-foot-wide crater. It damaged roads and utilities, costing $1.2 million to repair. FDEP found that water table changes during droughts triggered this event.

What immediate actions should residents take when observing possible sinkhole indicators?

If you see signs of a sinkhole, call Broward County Environmental Protection Division at 954-519-1499. Document any cracks >¼ inch with photos and timestamp them. Stop watering your lawn and ask for a certified inspection. FDEP’s triage focuses on cases with progressive ground depression or structural displacement.

How does urban development exacerbate sinkhole risks in Broward County?

Urban development changes natural drainage and stresses aquifer systems. The 2016 Tamarac incident showed how construction can cause sinkholes. It happened at 18-foot depths due to vibrations and water table changes.

Where can residents access official sinkhole risk maps for property assessments?

The FDEP has an interactive map of subsidence incidents from 1954. Property owners in Broward County should use this map with FGS Leaflet 20 guidelines. Always consult certified geologists for detailed evaluations before buying land or starting construction.

.2 million to repair. FDEP found that water table changes during droughts triggered this event.

What immediate actions should residents take when observing possible sinkhole indicators?

How does urban development exacerbate sinkhole risks in Broward County?

Where can residents access official sinkhole risk maps for property assessments?

.2 million to repair. FDEP found that water table changes during droughts triggered this event.What immediate actions should residents take when observing possible sinkhole indicators?If you see signs of a sinkhole, call Broward County Environmental Protection Division at 954-519-1499. Document any cracks >¼ inch with photos and timestamp them. Stop watering your lawn and ask for a certified inspection. FDEP’s triage focuses on cases with progressive ground depression or structural displacement.How does urban development exacerbate sinkhole risks in Broward County?Urban development changes natural drainage and stresses aquifer systems. The 2016 Tamarac incident showed how construction can cause sinkholes. It happened at 18-foot depths due to vibrations and water table changes.Where can residents access official sinkhole risk maps for property assessments?The FDEP has an interactive map of subsidence incidents from 1954. Property owners in Broward County should use this map with FGS Leaflet 20 guidelines. Always consult certified geologists for detailed evaluations before buying land or starting construction..2 million to repair. FDEP found that water table changes during droughts triggered this event.

Sinkholes in Broward County, FL | Florida Sinkholes