Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, North Miami faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Miami gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #144 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (59%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 767 claims here since 1988.
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 North Miami’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North 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 North Miami’s grade
Hurricanes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Miami, and North Miami’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #144 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Miami’s residents live in 19 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, North Miami has less expected damage per building than 78% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.3M a year in losses across North Miami: $9.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Miami flood? Yes: 767 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Miami, from FEMA’s records: 34.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene77 claims · $544K
- Hurricane Irma60 claims · $3.4M
- The June South Florida Flooding53 claims · $3.5M
North Miami is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Miami
Disasters that paid out in North Miami itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Miami), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$28K to the City of North Miami for repairs56 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma12,204 households applied for aid$5.0M aid approved$4.6M to the City of North Miami for repairs60 flood claims paid for it, $3.4M
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$34K to the City of North Miami for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma5,975 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$6.4M to the City of North Miami for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$89K to the City of North Miami for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$685K to the City of North Miami for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $143K
Show all 12
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$52K to the City of North Miami for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances751 households applied for aid$935K aid approved$229K to the City of North Miami for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes116 households applied for aid$68K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$5.3M to the City of North Miami for repairs361 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$240K to the City of North Miami for repairs77 flood claims paid for it, $544K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$42K to the City of North 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 North Miami after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Miami archive →North Miami and its neighbors
North Miami is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunny Isles Beach | B−more damage than 55% | hurricanes | 97 |
| North Miami | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 767 |
| Biscayne Gardens | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 386 |
| North Miami Beach | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 228 |
| Biscayne Park | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 136 |
| Westview | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
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 North 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.
- North 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 North Miami
Is North Miami at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Miami has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #144 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (59%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Miami flood?
Flood insurance has paid 767 claims in North Miami since 1988, $19.7M in all, or 34.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 67 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (77).
Is North 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 North Miami?
North 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 North Miami?
By FEMA money that reached North Miami, Hurricane Irma (2017): 12,204 households applied for aid, $5.0M approved, and $4.6M to the City of North Miami for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 77 paid, $544K.
Is North Miami at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and North Miami’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.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North 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.