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North Miami FL Fulford by the Sea Entrance04Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0
CHazard risk
Natural hazards in North Miami Beach · FEMA

More hazard damage per building is expected in North Miami Beach than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Miami Beach gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #180 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (56%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 228 claims here since 1992.

Hurricanes 56%River and rain flooding 37%Coastal flooding 4%

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

more than 70%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#180 of 638 in Florida
Hazard risk
C#180 of 638
in Florida · higher than 70% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
Hurricanes
56% of expected building damage
Flood claims
228
paid since 1992 · $4.0M
Flooded more than once
19
properties · 2 “severe repetitive loss”
Flood insurance
15% off
Community discount (class 7)

What stands out about North Miami Beach’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

228 paid flood claims since 1992$4.0M in all; 19 properties flooded more than once. More per home than 78% of U.S. towns.15% off flood insuranceFlood-proofing work earns North Miami Beach residents a discount through FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7).Made safer with FEMA grants14 buildings retrofitted against wind; 2 storm safe rooms built with FEMA grants.Remembers 2000106 flood claims were paid for 2000 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What North Miami 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

56%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 3 years in the area

River and rain flooding

37%of expected building damage
Below average · lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 4 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Coastal flooding top 3% Tornadoes Hail Earthquakes Wildfire Cold waves Strong wind Heat waves Landslides Lightning
FEMA models no building damage here
Winter stormsIce stormsAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind North Miami Beach’s grade

Hurricanes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Miami Beach, and North Miami Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.

Where North Miami Beach sits
North Miami Beach
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C #180 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).

North Miami Beach’s residents live in 15 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
Hurricanes56%River and rain flooding37%Coastal flooding4%Everything else2%

The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, North Miami Beach has less expected damage per building than 72% of Florida towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.3M a year in losses across North Miami Beach: $8.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, FEMA took 9,806 aid registrations from North Miami Beach addresses (the town has 17,533 homes) and flood insurance paid 9 claims for $59K.
A firm figure. It combines 15 census tracts by where North Miami Beach’s residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does North Miami Beach flood? Yes: 228 flood claims since 1992

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Miami Beach, from FEMA’s records: 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1992: 3 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 8 claims1995: 10 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 1 claim1998: 3 claims1999: 27 claims2000: 106 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 1 claim2003: 1 claim2004: 0 claims2005: 5 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 1 claim2008: 0 claims2009: 20 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 9 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 2 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 9 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 3 claims2020: 2 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 1 claim2024: 16 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims199920002009
19922026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Irene26 claims · $132K
  • The June South Florida Flooding16 claims · $1.0M
  • Hurricane Irma9 claims · $59K
228
paid claims since 1992
$4.0M
paid to owners
19
homes flooded more than once
$17K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (2)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
Community discount15% off flood insurance

North Miami Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.

Insurance rates: Dade County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
14buildings retrofitted against wind
2storm safe rooms built
Disasters

12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Miami Beach

Disasters that paid out in North Miami Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Miami Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2022Hurricane Ian1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
  2. 2017Hurricane Irma9,806 households applied for aid$4.0M aid approved$4.0M to the City of North Miami Beach for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $59K
  3. 2008Tropical Storm Fay$45K to the City of North Miami Beach for repairs
  4. 2005Hurricane Wilma4,305 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$3.3M to the City of North Miami Beach for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $58K
  5. 2005Tropical Storm Rita$22K to the City of North Miami Beach for repairs
  6. 2005Hurricane Katrina$546K to the City of North Miami Beach for repairs
Show all 12
  1. 2004Hurricane Jeanne$12K to the City of North Miami Beach for repairs
  2. 2004Hurricane Frances336 households applied for aid$354K aid approved$514K to the City of North Miami Beach for repairs
  3. 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes52 households applied for aid$21K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
  4. 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$1.1M to the City of North Miami Beach for repairs106 flood claims paid that year
  5. 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$106K to the City of North Miami Beach for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $132K
  6. 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$25K to the City of North Miami Beach for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in North Miami Beachits 2 counties only

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.

Were you here?

Old photos of North Miami Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the North Miami Beach archive →
Next door

North Miami Beach and its neighbors

North Miami Beach is 5th of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

North Miami: hazard risk COjus: hazard risk C−Biscayne Gardens: hazard risk CAventura: hazard risk B−Sunny Isles Beach: hazard risk B−Miami Gardens: hazard risk C−North MiamiOjusBiscayne GardensAventuraSunny Isles BeachMiami GardensNorth Miami Beach
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
AventuraB−more damage than 50%hurricanes236
Sunny Isles BeachB−more damage than 55%hurricanes97
North MiamiCmore damage than 67%hurricanes767
Biscayne GardensCmore damage than 68%hurricanes386
North Miami BeachCmore damage than 70%hurricanes228
OjusC−more damage than 76%hurricanes789
Miami GardensC−more damage than 79%hurricanes144

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what North Miami 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.

Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
  • North Miami Beach residents get 15% off flood insurance.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in North Miami Beach

Is North Miami Beach at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Miami Beach has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #180 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (56%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does North Miami Beach flood?

Flood insurance has paid 228 claims in North Miami Beach since 1992, $4.0M in all, or 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 19 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (26).

Is North Miami 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 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 North Miami Beach?

North Miami Beach 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 North Miami Beach?

By FEMA money that reached North Miami Beach, Hurricane Irma (2017): 9,806 households applied for aid, $4.0M approved, and $4.0M to the City of North Miami Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 26 paid, $132K.

Is North Miami Beach at risk from hurricanes?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and North Miami Beach’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Miami Beach.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Miami 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.