Photo: Smothert1 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Homestead than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homestead gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #400 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 459 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 Homestead’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Homestead faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Homestead’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Homestead, and Homestead’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 37%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #400 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Homestead’s residents live in 21 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, Homestead has more expected damage per building than 63% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $26.4M a year in losses across Homestead: $17.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Homestead flood? Yes: 459 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Homestead, from FEMA’s records: 16.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina213 claims · $5.0M
- Hurricane Irene105 claims · $1.6M
- Hurricane Irma17 claims · $629K
Homestead is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Homestead
Disasters that paid out in Homestead itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Homestead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma42,576 households applied for aid$17.8M aid approved$13.0M to the City of Homestead for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $629K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$86K to the City of Homestead for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma8,504 households applied for aid$4.4M aid approved$4.9M to the City of Homestead for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $181K
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$69K to the City of Homestead for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$1.4M to the City of Homestead for repairs213 flood claims paid for it, $5.0M
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$12K to the City of Homestead for repairs
Show all 12
- 2004Hurricane Frances1,370 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved$170K to the City of Homestead for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1 households applied for aid$912 aid approved$13K to the City of Homestead for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes1,121 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$199K to the City of Homestead for repairs34 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$6K to the City of Homestead for repairs105 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$23K to the City of Homestead 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 Homestead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Homestead archive →Homestead and its neighbors
Homestead is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homestead Base | C+more damage than 57% | hurricanes | — |
| Leisure City | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 133 |
| Florida City | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 252 |
| Homestead | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 459 |
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 Homestead faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Homestead 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 Homestead
Is Homestead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homestead has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #400 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Homestead flood?
Flood insurance has paid 459 claims in Homestead since 1992, $9.7M in all, or 16.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 36 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (213).
Is Homestead 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 Homestead?
Homestead 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 Homestead?
By FEMA money that reached Homestead, Hurricane Irma (2017): 42,576 households applied for aid, $17.8M approved, and $13.0M to the City of Homestead for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 213 paid, $5.0M.
Is Homestead at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Homestead’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Homestead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Homestead’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.