Photo: Oscar Flowers · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Hialeah Gardens than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hialeah Gardens gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #260 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (52%), then river and rain flooding (44%). Flood insurance has paid 304 claims here since 1993.
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 Hialeah Gardens’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hialeah Gardens 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 Hialeah Gardens’ grade
Hurricanes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hialeah Gardens, and Hialeah Gardens’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 44% (higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #260 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hialeah Gardens’ residents live in 6 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, Hialeah Gardens has less expected damage per building than 59% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Hialeah Gardens: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hialeah Gardens flood? Yes: 304 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hialeah Gardens, from FEMA’s records: 39.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene119 claims · $2.7M
- Hurricane Eta11 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Irma10 claims · $2.5M
Hialeah Gardens 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hialeah Gardens
Disasters that paid out in Hialeah Gardens itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hialeah Gardens), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,380 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Hialeah Gardens for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $2.5M
- 2005Hurricane Wilma832 households applied for aid$335K aid approved$1.2M to the City of Hialeah Gardens for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $47K
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$6K to the City of Hialeah Gardens for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$57K to the City of Hialeah Gardens for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $17K
- 2004Hurricane Frances12 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$19K to the City of Hialeah Gardens for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$26K to the City of Hialeah Gardens for repairs52 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$19K to the City of Hialeah Gardens for repairs119 flood claims paid for it, $2.7M
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$2K to the City of Hialeah Gardens 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 Hialeah Gardens after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hialeah Gardens archive →Hialeah Gardens and its neighbors
Hialeah Gardens is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Hialeah Gardens 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 Hialeah Gardens
Is Hialeah Gardens at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hialeah Gardens has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #260 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (52%) and river and rain flooding (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hialeah Gardens flood?
Flood insurance has paid 304 claims in Hialeah Gardens since 1993, $12.3M in all, or 39.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 42 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (119).
Is Hialeah Gardens 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 Hialeah Gardens?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hialeah Gardens’ 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 Hialeah Gardens?
By FEMA money that reached Hialeah Gardens, Hurricane Irma (2017): 4,380 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $1.1M to the City of Hialeah Gardens for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 119 paid, $2.7M.
Is Hialeah Gardens at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Hialeah Gardens’ rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hialeah Gardens.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hialeah Gardens’ 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.