Fowey Rocks Light · Photo: http://www.birdphotos.com · CC BY 3.0Key Biscayne’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Key Biscayne gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #30 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 1,027 claims here since 1991.
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 Key Biscayne’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Key Biscayne 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
Coastal 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 Key Biscayne’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Key Biscayne, and Key Biscayne’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #30 of 638 in Florida; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Key Biscayne’s residents live in 4 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, Key Biscayne has less expected damage per building than 95% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Key Biscayne: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Key Biscayne flood? Yes: 1,027 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Key Biscayne, from FEMA’s records: 140.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Andrew656 claims · $24.1M
- Hurricane Irma153 claims · $12.7M
- Hurricane Katrina72 claims · $3.0M
Key Biscayne is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Key Biscayne
Disasters that paid out in Key Biscayne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Key Biscayne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian$9K to the Village of Key Biscayne for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma627 households applied for aid$280K aid approved$3.6M to the Village of Key Biscayne for repairs153 flood claims paid for it, $12.7M
- 2005Hurricane Wilma90 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$3.3M to the Village of Key Biscayne for repairs22 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$12K to the Village of Key Biscayne for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$434K to the Village of Key Biscayne for repairs72 flood claims paid for it, $3.0M
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$17K to the Village of Key Biscayne for repairs
Show all 10
- 2004Hurricane Frances4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$168K to the Village of Key Biscayne for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$32K to the Village of Key Biscayne for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$146K to the Village of Key Biscayne for repairs36 flood claims paid for it, $758K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$12K to the Village of Key Biscayne 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 Key Biscayne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Key Biscayne archive →Get ready for what Key Biscayne 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Key Biscayne residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Key Biscayne
Is Key Biscayne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Key Biscayne has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #30 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Key Biscayne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,027 claims in Key Biscayne since 1991, $43.7M in all, or 140.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 40 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Andrew (656).
Is Key Biscayne 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 Key Biscayne?
Key Biscayne is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Key Biscayne?
By FEMA money that reached Key Biscayne, Hurricane Irma (2017): 627 households applied for aid, $280K approved, and $3.6M to the Village of Key Biscayne for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Andrew: 656 paid, $24.1M.
Is Key Biscayne at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Key Biscayne’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Key Biscayne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Key Biscayne’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.