Photo: Averette · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Kendall’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kendall gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #316 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 891 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 stands out about Kendall’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kendall 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 Kendall’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kendall, and Kendall’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 46%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #316 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kendall’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, Kendall has less expected damage per building than 51% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $28.3M a year in losses across Kendall: $24.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kendall flood? Yes: 891 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kendall, from FEMA’s records: 27.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene273 claims · $2.3M
- Hurricane Katrina152 claims · $2.5M
- Hurricane Andrew15 claims · $138K
Kendall 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kendall
Disasters that paid out in Kendall itself (aid to households or repair grants to Kendall), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma61 households applied for aid$13K aid approved11 flood claims paid for it, $398K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma16 households applied for aid$8K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $33K
- 2004Hurricane Frances1 households applied for aid$726 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Kendall after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kendall archive →Kendall and its neighbors
Kendall is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenvar Heights | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 112 |
| Sunset | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Kendall | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 891 |
| Three Lakes | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pinecrest | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Richmond Heights | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| 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 Kendall 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 Kendall
Is Kendall at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kendall has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #316 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kendall flood?
Flood insurance has paid 891 claims in Kendall since 1979, $8.7M in all, or 27.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (273).
Is Kendall 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 Kendall?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kendall’s 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 Kendall?
By FEMA money that reached Kendall, Hurricane Irma (2017): 61 households applied for aid, $13K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 273 paid, $2.3M.
Is Kendall at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Kendall’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kendall.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kendall’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.