On FEMA’s figures, Medley faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medley gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (70%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 86 claims here since 1995.
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 Medley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Medley 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
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 Medley’s grade
Hurricanes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Medley, and Medley’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 25% (lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts).
B− lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Medley’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Medley: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Medley flood? Sometimes: 86 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Medley, from FEMA’s records: 187.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene16 claims · $449K
- The June South Florida Flooding5 claims · $167K
- Hurricane Irma2 claims · $29K
Medley is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Medley
Disasters that paid out in Medley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Medley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma580 households applied for aid$361K aid approved$993K to the Town of Medley for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $29K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma268 households applied for aid$337K aid approved$1.8M to the Town of Medley for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$32K to the Town of Medley for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $6K
- 2004Hurricane Frances4 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$7K to the Town of Medley for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$555K to the Town of Medley for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$410K to the Town of Medley for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $449K
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$2K to the Town of Medley 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 Medley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Medley archive →Medley and its neighbors
Medley has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medley | B−less damage than 52% | hurricanes | 86 |
| Doral | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 138 |
| Hialeah Gardens | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 304 |
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 Medley 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.
- 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.
- Medley residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Medley
Is Medley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medley has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (70%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Medley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 86 claims in Medley since 1995, $5.7M in all, or 187.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 19 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (16).
Is Medley 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 Medley?
Medley is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Medley?
By FEMA money that reached Medley, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 268 households applied for aid, $337K approved, and $1.8M to the Town of Medley for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 16 paid, $449K.
Is Medley at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Medley’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Medley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Medley’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.