Carl G. Adams House · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Miami Springs faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami Springs gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #291 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 445 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 Miami Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Miami Springs faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Miami Springs, and Miami Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 46%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #291 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Miami Springs’ residents live in 3 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 Springs has less expected damage per building than 54% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Miami Springs: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Miami Springs flood? Yes: 445 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Miami Springs, from FEMA’s records: 78.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene108 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Eta4 claims · $85K
- The June South Florida Flooding1 claim · $28K
Miami Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dade County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Miami Springs
Disasters that paid out in Miami Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Miami Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma2,402 households applied for aid$865K aid approved$4.0M to the City of Miami Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma1,092 households applied for aid$524K aid approved$3.3M to the City of Miami Springs for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$1.3M to the City of Miami Springs for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances12 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$86K to the City of Miami Springs for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$1.2M to the City of Miami Springs for repairs212 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$201K to the City of Miami Springs for repairs108 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
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 Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Miami Springs archive →Miami Springs and its neighbors
Miami Springs is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Gardens | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 61 |
| Hialeah | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 1,779 |
| Miami Springs | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 445 |
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 Springs faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Miami Springs
Is Miami Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami Springs has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #291 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Miami Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 445 claims in Miami Springs since 1991, $4.7M in all, or 78.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 87 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (108).
Is Miami Springs 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 Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Miami Springs’ flood program. 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 Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Miami Springs, Hurricane Irma (2017): 2,402 households applied for aid, $865K approved, and $4.0M to the City of Miami Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 108 paid, $1.1M.
Is Miami Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Miami Springs’ rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Miami Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Miami Springs’ 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.