FEMA puts Biscayne Park’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Biscayne Park gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #208 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (54%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 136 claims here since 1991.
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 Biscayne Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Biscayne Park faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Biscayne Park’s grade
Hurricanes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Biscayne Park, and Biscayne Park’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #208 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Biscayne Park’s residents live in 2 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, Biscayne Park has less expected damage per building than 68% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $866K a year in losses across Biscayne Park: $685K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Biscayne Park flood? Yes: 136 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Biscayne Park, from FEMA’s records: 125.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June South Florida Flooding12 claims · $409K
- Hurricane Irma4 claims · $420K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $10K
Biscayne Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dade County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Biscayne Park
Disasters that paid out in Biscayne Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Biscayne Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma542 households applied for aid$229K aid approved$921K to the Village of Biscayne Park for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $420K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma400 households applied for aid$205K aid approved$1.1M to the Village of Biscayne Park for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$95K to the Village of Biscayne Park for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances15 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$29K to the Village of Biscayne Park for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$48K to the Village of Biscayne Park for repairs89 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$22K to the Village of Biscayne Park for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $10K
Its 2 counties have 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Biscayne Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Biscayne Park archive →Biscayne Park and its neighbors
Biscayne Park is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Miami | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 767 |
| Biscayne Park | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 136 |
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 Biscayne Park faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Biscayne Park
Is Biscayne Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Biscayne Park has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #208 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (54%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Biscayne Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 136 claims in Biscayne Park since 1991, $1.9M in all, or 125.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from June South Florida Flooding (12).
Is Biscayne Park 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 Dade County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 33.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Biscayne Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Biscayne Park’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 Biscayne Park?
By FEMA money that reached Biscayne Park, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 400 households applied for aid, $205K approved, and $1.1M to the Village of Biscayne Park for repairs. By flood claims, June South Florida Flooding: 12 paid, $409K.
Is Biscayne Park at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Biscayne Park’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Biscayne Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Biscayne Park’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.