Photo: Phillip Pessar · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Hialeah’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hialeah gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #266 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (52%), then river and rain flooding (45%). Flood insurance has paid 1,779 claims here since 1986.
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’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hialeah 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’s grade
Hurricanes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hialeah, and Hialeah’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 45% (higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #266 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hialeah’s residents live in 60 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 has less expected damage per building than 58% of Florida towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Hialeah has higher expected damage per building than 68% (#274 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $51.1M, is the 239th largest of those 400.
Does Hialeah flood? Yes: 1,779 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hialeah, from FEMA’s records: 22.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene572 claims · $6.4M
- Hurricane Eta50 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Wilma26 claims · $338K
Hialeah is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hialeah
Disasters that paid out in Hialeah itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hialeah), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian8 households applied for aid$13K to the City of Hialeah for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma71,366 households applied for aid$23.9M aid approved$6.7M to the City of Hialeah for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $363K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$8K to the City of Hialeah for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma22,503 households applied for aid$9.9M aid approved$8.4M to the City of Hialeah for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $338K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$1.9M to the City of Hialeah for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $123K
- 2004Hurricane Frances458 households applied for aid$447K aid approved$319K to the City of Hialeah for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes52 households applied for aid$46K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$519K to the City of Hialeah for repairs751 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$809K to the City of Hialeah for repairs572 flood claims paid for it, $6.4M
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hialeah archive →Hialeah and its neighbors
Hialeah is 5th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opa-locka | C+more damage than 64% | hurricanes | 183 |
| Brownsville | C+more damage than 64% | hurricanes | 35 |
| Miami Lakes | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 79 |
| Hialeah Gardens | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 304 |
| Hialeah | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 1,779 |
| Miami Springs | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 445 |
| Westview | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| West Little River | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 193 |
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 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.
- Hialeah residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hialeah
Is Hialeah at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hialeah has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #266 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (52%) and river and rain flooding (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hialeah flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,779 claims in Hialeah since 1986, $26.1M in all, or 22.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 228 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (572).
Is Hialeah 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?
Hialeah is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Hialeah?
By FEMA money that reached Hialeah, Hurricane Irma (2017): 71,366 households applied for aid, $23.9M approved, and $6.7M to the City of Hialeah for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 572 paid, $6.4M.
Is Hialeah at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Hialeah’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hialeah.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hialeah’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.