Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Miami Beach’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami Beach gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #309 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (48%), then coastal flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 1,335 claims here since 1986.
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 Miami Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Miami Beach faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Miami Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Miami Beach, and Miami Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 38%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #309 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Miami Beach’s residents live in 29 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, Miami Beach has less expected damage per building than 52% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $33.5M a year in losses across Miami Beach: $26.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Miami Beach flood? Yes: 1,335 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Miami Beach, from FEMA’s records: 21.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene166 claims · $1.5M
- Hurricane Irma154 claims · $8.1M
- Hurricane Wilma85 claims · $2.8M
Miami Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Miami Beach
Disasters that paid out in Miami Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Miami Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton7 households applied for aid$310K to the City of Miami Beach for repairs77 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$35K to the City of Miami Beach for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian$123K to the City of Miami Beach for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma15,058 households applied for aid$5.2M aid approved$9.5M to the City of Miami Beach for repairs154 flood claims paid for it, $8.1M
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$35K to the City of Miami Beach for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma2,667 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$9.0M to the City of Miami Beach for repairs85 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
Show all 11
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$30K to the City of Miami Beach for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$1.6M to the City of Miami Beach for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances133 households applied for aid$193K aid approved$583K to the City of Miami Beach for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$701K to the City of Miami Beach for repairs166 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$39K to the City of Miami Beach 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 Miami Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Miami Beach archive →Miami Beach and its neighbors
Miami Beach is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fisher Island | Bless damage than 56% | hurricanes | 54 |
| Miami | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 4,323 |
| North Bay Village | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 141 |
| Miami Beach | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 1,335 |
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 Miami Beach 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Miami Beach residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Miami Beach
Is Miami Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami Beach has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #309 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (48%) and coastal flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Miami Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,335 claims in Miami Beach since 1986, $46.0M in all, or 21.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 138 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (166).
Is Miami Beach 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 Miami Beach?
Miami Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Miami Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Miami Beach, Hurricane Irma (2017): 15,058 households applied for aid, $5.2M approved, and $9.5M to the City of Miami Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 166 paid, $1.5M.
Is Miami Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Miami Beach’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Miami Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Miami Beach’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.