More hazard damage per building is expected in Ives Estates than in 79% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ives Estates gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #314 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (48%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1979.
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 Ives Estates 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 Ives Estates’ grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ives Estates, and Ives Estates’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 48%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #314 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ives Estates’ 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, Ives Estates has less expected damage per building than 51% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Ives Estates: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ives Estates flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ives Estates, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June South Florida Flooding3 claims · $109K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $248
- Hurricane Wilma2 claims · $14K
Ives Estates 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ives Estates
Disasters that paid out in Ives Estates itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ives Estates), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma88 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
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 Ives Estates after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ives Estates archive →Ives Estates and its neighbors
Ives Estates is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembroke Park | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 85 |
| West Park | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 25 |
| Ojus | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 789 |
| Miami Gardens | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 144 |
| Ives Estates | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 Ives Estates 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ives Estates
Is Ives Estates at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ives Estates has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #314 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ives Estates flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Ives Estates since 1979, $397K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from June South Florida Flooding (3).
Is Ives Estates 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 Ives Estates?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ives Estates’ 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 Ives Estates?
By FEMA money that reached Ives Estates, Hurricane Irma (2017): 88 households applied for aid, $14K approved. By flood claims, June South Florida Flooding: 3 paid, $109K.
Is Ives Estates at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Ives Estates’ rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ives Estates.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ives Estates’ 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.