Photo: Pietro · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Miami Gardens’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami Gardens gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #307 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 144 claims here since 1998.
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 Gardens’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Miami Gardens 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 Miami Gardens’ grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Miami Gardens, and Miami Gardens’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #307 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Miami Gardens’ residents live in 35 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 Gardens has less expected damage per building than 52% of Florida towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Miami Gardens has higher expected damage per building than 71% (#285 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $25.3M, is the 372th largest of those 400.
Does Miami Gardens flood? Yes: 144 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Miami Gardens, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma48 claims · $916K
- Hurricane Eta33 claims · $726K
- Hurricane Irene14 claims · $38K
Miami Gardens is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Miami Gardens
Disasters that paid out in Miami Gardens itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Miami Gardens), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton18 households applied for aid$77K to the City of Miami Gardens for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma28,739 households applied for aid$12.5M aid approved$524K to the City of Miami Gardens for repairs48 flood claims paid for it, $916K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$9K to the City of Miami Gardens for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma88 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$5.5M to the City of Miami Gardens for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$182K to the City of Miami Gardens for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances2 households applied for aid$2K 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 Miami Gardens after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Miami Gardens archive →Miami Gardens and its neighbors
Miami Gardens is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opa-locka | C+more damage than 64% | hurricanes | 183 |
| Biscayne Gardens | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 386 |
| North Miami Beach | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 228 |
| West Park | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 25 |
| Miramar | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 653 |
| Miami Gardens | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 144 |
| Ives Estates | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 Gardens 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.
- Miami Gardens residents get 15% 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 Gardens
Is Miami Gardens at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami Gardens has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #307 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Miami Gardens flood?
Flood insurance has paid 144 claims in Miami Gardens since 1998, $2.6M in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 28 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (48).
Is Miami Gardens 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 Gardens?
Miami Gardens is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Gardens?
By FEMA money that reached Miami Gardens, Hurricane Irma (2017): 28,739 households applied for aid, $12.5M approved, and $524K to the City of Miami Gardens for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 48 paid, $916K.
Is Miami Gardens at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Miami Gardens’ rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Miami Gardens.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Miami Gardens’ 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.