Photo: Averette · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Coral Gables than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coral Gables gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #166 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (54%), then river and rain flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 797 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 Coral Gables’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Coral Gables 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 Coral Gables’ grade
Hurricanes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Coral Gables, and Coral Gables’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #166 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Coral Gables’ residents live in 24 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, Coral Gables has less expected damage per building than 74% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.9M a year in losses across Coral Gables: $17.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Coral Gables flood? Yes: 797 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Coral Gables, from FEMA’s records: 36.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Andrew382 claims · $18.8M
- Hurricane Irma201 claims · $10.7M
- Hurricane Irene37 claims · $642K
Coral Gables is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Coral Gables
Disasters that paid out in Coral Gables itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Coral Gables), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma5,404 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$15.9M to the City of Coral Gables for repairs201 flood claims paid for it, $10.7M
- 2005Hurricane Wilma2,121 households applied for aid$971K aid approved$14.2M to the City of Coral Gables for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $61K
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$220K to the City of Coral Gables for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$10.4M to the City of Coral Gables for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $599K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$222K to the City of Coral Gables for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances31 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Coral Gables for repairs
Show all 10
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$840 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$92K to the City of Coral Gables for repairs29 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$603K to the City of Coral Gables for repairs37 flood claims paid for it, $642K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$103K to the City of Coral Gables for repairs
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 Coral Gables after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Coral Gables archive →Coral Gables and its neighbors
Coral Gables is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 4,323 |
| Coral Gables | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 797 |
| Pinecrest | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Palmetto Bay | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
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 Coral Gables 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.
- Coral Gables residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Coral Gables
Is Coral Gables at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coral Gables has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #166 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (54%) and river and rain flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Coral Gables flood?
Flood insurance has paid 797 claims in Coral Gables since 1991, $34.6M in all, or 36.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 47 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Andrew (382).
Is Coral Gables 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 Coral Gables?
Coral Gables is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Coral Gables?
By FEMA money that reached Coral Gables, Hurricane Irma (2017): 5,404 households applied for aid, $2.1M approved, and $15.9M to the City of Coral Gables for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Andrew: 382 paid, $18.8M.
Is Coral Gables at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Coral Gables’ rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Coral Gables.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Coral Gables’ 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.