Photo: Averette · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Miami’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #135 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (58%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 4,323 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’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Miami 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’s grade
Hurricanes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Miami, and Miami’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #135 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Miami’s residents live in 138 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 has less expected damage per building than 79% of Florida towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Miami has higher expected damage per building than 58% (#234 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $91.8M, is the 128th largest of those 400.
Does Miami flood? Yes: 4,323 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Miami, from FEMA’s records: 19.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1,131 claims · $15.0M
- Hurricane Irma493 claims · $34.1M
- Hurricane Andrew341 claims · $16.6M
Miami is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Miami
Disasters that paid out in Miami itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Miami), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton267 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$245K to the City of Miami for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$700 aid approved18 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$52K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian40 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$221K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$129K to the City of Miami for repairs84 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma350,124 households applied for aid$130M aid approved$48.0M to the City of Miami for repairs493 flood claims paid for it, $34.1M
Show all 16
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$35K to the City of Miami for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma98,810 households applied for aid$53.5M aid approved$36.9M to the City of Miami for repairs94 flood claims paid for it, $3.4M
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$18K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$16.2M to the City of Miami for repairs177 flood claims paid for it, $3.4M
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$189K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances13,877 households applied for aid$20.2M aid approved$719K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes10,061 households applied for aid$10.0M aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$6.7M to the City of Miami for repairs1,324 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$1.0M to the City of Miami for repairs1,131 flood claims paid for it, $15.0M
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$75K to the City of Miami 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Miami archive →Miami and its neighbors
Miami is 3rd of the 8 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 |
| Brownsville | C+more damage than 64% | hurricanes | 35 |
| Miami | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 4,323 |
| Gladeview | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 31 |
| Coral Gables | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 797 |
| Miami Beach | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 1,335 |
| West Little River | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 193 |
| El Portal | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
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 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 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
Is Miami at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #135 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (58%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Miami flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4,323 claims in Miami since 1986, $119M in all, or 19.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 303 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1,131).
Is Miami 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?
Miami 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?
By FEMA money that reached Miami, Hurricane Irma (2017): 350,124 households applied for aid, $130M approved, and $48.0M to the City of Miami for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1,131 paid, $15.0M.
Is Miami at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Miami’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Miami.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Miami’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.