Boca Chita Key Historic District · Photo: Linda Pikula, NOAA/NESDIS/Miami Library. · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Cutler Bay than in 73% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cutler Bay gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #225 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (50%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 98 claims here since 1992.
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 Cutler Bay’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cutler Bay 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 Cutler Bay’s grade
Hurricanes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cutler Bay, and Cutler Bay’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #225 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cutler Bay’s residents live in 12 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, Cutler Bay has less expected damage per building than 65% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.7M a year in losses across Cutler Bay: $8.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cutler Bay flood? Sometimes: 98 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cutler Bay, from FEMA’s records: 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina34 claims · $901K
- Hurricane Irma28 claims · $664K
- Hurricane Andrew9 claims · $312K
Cutler Bay is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cutler Bay
Disasters that paid out in Cutler Bay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cutler Bay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma9,935 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$793K to the Town of Cutler Bay for repairs28 flood claims paid for it, $664K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$7K to the Town of Cutler Bay 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 Cutler Bay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cutler Bay archive →Cutler Bay and its neighbors
Cutler Bay has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutler Bay | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 98 |
| Palmetto Bay | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Goulds | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| South Miami Heights | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 605 |
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 Cutler Bay 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.
- Cutler Bay residents get 35% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cutler Bay
Is Cutler Bay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cutler Bay has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #225 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (50%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cutler Bay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 98 claims in Cutler Bay since 1992, $2.4M in all, or 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 38 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (34).
Is Cutler Bay 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 Cutler Bay?
Cutler Bay is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3), which takes 35% 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 Cutler Bay?
By FEMA money that reached Cutler Bay, Hurricane Irma (2017): 9,935 households applied for aid, $3.7M approved, and $793K to the Town of Cutler Bay for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 34 paid, $901K.
Is Cutler Bay at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Cutler Bay’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cutler Bay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cutler Bay’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.