Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Miami Lakes faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami Lakes gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #182 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (57%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 79 claims here since 1999.
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 Lakes’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Miami Lakes 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 Lakes’ grade
Hurricanes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Miami Lakes, and Miami Lakes’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 39% (lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
C #182 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Miami Lakes’ residents live in 7 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 Lakes has less expected damage per building than 72% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.7M a year in losses across Miami Lakes: $8.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Miami Lakes flood? Sometimes: 79 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Miami Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Eta41 claims · $696K
- Hurricane Irma11 claims · $157K
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $40K
Miami Lakes is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Miami Lakes
Disasters that paid out in Miami Lakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Miami Lakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,555 households applied for aid$865K aid approved$4.1M to the Town of Miami Lakes for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $157K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$15K to the Town of Miami Lakes for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma841 households applied for aid$264K aid approved$5.5M to the Town of Miami Lakes for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $21K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$486K to the Town of Miami Lakes for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$5K to the Town of Miami Lakes for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$142K to the Town of Miami Lakes 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 Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Miami Lakes archive →Miami Lakes and its neighbors
Miami Lakes has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Lakes | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 79 |
| Country Club | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 202 |
| Hialeah | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 1,779 |
| Palm Springs North | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 75 |
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 Lakes 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 Lakes residents get 20% 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 Lakes
Is Miami Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #182 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (57%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Miami Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 79 claims in Miami Lakes since 1999, $1.3M in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Eta (41).
Is Miami Lakes 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 Lakes?
Miami Lakes is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Lakes?
By FEMA money that reached Miami Lakes, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 841 households applied for aid, $264K approved, and $5.5M to the Town of Miami Lakes for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Eta: 41 paid, $696K.
Is Miami Lakes at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Miami Lakes’ rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Miami Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Miami Lakes’ 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.