More hazard damage per building is expected in Miramar Beach than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miramar Beach gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #438 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (82%), then river and rain flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 71 claims here since 1995.
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 Miramar 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
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 Miramar Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Miramar Beach, and Miramar Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 13% (lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts).
D #438 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Miramar Beach’s 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, Miramar Beach has more expected damage per building than 69% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.1M a year in losses across Miramar Beach: $11.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Miramar Beach flood? Sometimes: 71 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Miramar Beach, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms28 claims · $2.7M
- Hurricane Sally13 claims · $769K
- Hurricane Ivan9 claims · $266K
Miramar Beach isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walton County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Miramar Beach
Disasters that paid out in Miramar Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to Miramar Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally45 households applied for aid$4K aid approved13 flood claims paid for it, $769K
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding77 households applied for aid$90K aid approved29 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis65 households applied for aid$27K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $70K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan162 households applied for aid$134K aid approved9 flood claims paid for it, $266K
Walton County has had 30 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Walton County, 2001–2020.
Old photos of Miramar Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Miramar Beach archive →Miramar Beach and its neighbors
Miramar Beach is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destin | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 1,204 |
| Miramar Beach | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 71 |
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 Miramar 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Miramar Beach
Is Miramar Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miramar Beach has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #438 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (82%) and river and rain flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Miramar Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 71 claims in Miramar Beach since 1995, $4.2M in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (28).
Is Miramar 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 Walton County, 70% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 20.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Miramar Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Miramar Beach’s 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 Miramar Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Miramar Beach, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 162 households applied for aid, $134K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 28 paid, $2.7M.
Is Miramar Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Miramar Beach’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Miramar Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Miramar 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.