Photo: Ven-Lib · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Doral faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Doral gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #240 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (58%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 138 claims here since 1999.
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 Doral’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Doral 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 Doral’s grade
Hurricanes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Doral, and Doral’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts).
C #240 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Doral’s residents live in 15 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, Doral has less expected damage per building than 62% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $31.3M a year in losses across Doral: $27.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Doral flood? Yes: 138 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Doral, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alex11 claims · $728K
- Hurricane Irma6 claims · $257K
- The June South Florida Flooding6 claims · $675K
Doral is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Doral
Disasters that paid out in Doral itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Doral), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton4 households applied for aid$21K to the City of Doral for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,405 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$881K to the City of Doral for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $257K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$8K to the City of Doral for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma810 households applied for aid$259K aid approved$576K to the City of Doral for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$221K to the City of Doral for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$11K to the City of Doral 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 Doral after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Doral archive →Doral and its neighbors
Doral is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medley | B−less damage than 52% | hurricanes | 86 |
| Doral | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 138 |
| Sweetwater | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 215 |
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 Doral 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.
- Doral residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Doral
Is Doral at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Doral has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #240 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (58%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Doral flood?
Flood insurance has paid 138 claims in Doral since 1999, $13.0M in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 61 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alex (11).
Is Doral 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 Doral?
Doral is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Doral?
By FEMA money that reached Doral, Hurricane Irma (2017): 4,405 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $881K to the City of Doral for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alex: 11 paid, $728K.
Is Doral at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Doral’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Doral.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Doral’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.