FEMA puts Kendale Lakes’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kendale Lakes gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #411 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 831 claims here since 1980.
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 Kendale Lakes’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kendale Lakes 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 Kendale Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kendale Lakes, and Kendale Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 34%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #411 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kendale Lakes’ residents live in 14 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, Kendale Lakes has more expected damage per building than 64% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.5M a year in losses across Kendale Lakes: $13.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kendale Lakes flood? Yes: 831 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kendale Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 41.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene414 claims · $2.6M
- Hurricane Katrina43 claims · $492K
- Hurricane Irma24 claims · $404K
Kendale Lakes 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 Kendale Lakes
Disasters that paid out in Kendale Lakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to Kendale Lakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma15 households applied for aid$1K aid approved24 flood claims paid for it, $404K
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 Kendale Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kendale Lakes archive →Kendale Lakes and its neighbors
Kendale Lakes is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westwood Lakes | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Kendall | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 891 |
| Kendall West | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 494 |
| Tamiami | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1,405 |
| Kendale Lakes | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 831 |
| The Crossings | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 404 |
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 Kendale Lakes 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 Kendale Lakes
Is Kendale Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kendale Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #411 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kendale Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 831 claims in Kendale Lakes since 1980, $6.6M in all, or 41.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (414).
Is Kendale Lakes 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 Kendale Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kendale Lakes’ 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 Kendale Lakes?
By FEMA money that reached Kendale Lakes, Hurricane Irma (2017): 15 households applied for aid, $1K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 414 paid, $2.6M.
Is Kendale Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Kendale Lakes’ rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kendale Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kendale Lakes’ 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.