On FEMA’s figures, Ojus faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ojus gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #270 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (53%), then river and rain flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 789 claims here since 1979.
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 Ojus’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ojus 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 Ojus’ grade
Hurricanes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ojus, and Ojus’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #270 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ojus’ residents live in 6 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, Ojus has less expected damage per building than 58% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Ojus: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ojus flood? Yes: 789 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ojus, from FEMA’s records: 94.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June South Florida Flooding96 claims · $7.7M
- Hurricane Irene56 claims · $279K
- Hurricane Irma11 claims · $466K
Ojus 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ojus
Disasters that paid out in Ojus itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ojus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma98 households applied for aid$25K aid approved11 flood claims paid for it, $466K
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 Ojus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ojus archive →Ojus and its neighbors
Ojus is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aventura | B−more damage than 50% | hurricanes | 236 |
| Hallandale Beach | C+more damage than 58% | hurricanes | 1,374 |
| North Miami Beach | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 228 |
| Ojus | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 789 |
| Ives Estates | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 Ojus 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 Ojus
Is Ojus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ojus has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #270 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (53%) and river and rain flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ojus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 789 claims in Ojus since 1979, $22.6M in all, or 94.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from June South Florida Flooding (96).
Is Ojus 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 Ojus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ojus’ 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 Ojus?
By FEMA money that reached Ojus, Hurricane Irma (2017): 98 households applied for aid, $25K approved. By flood claims, June South Florida Flooding: 96 paid, $7.7M.
Is Ojus at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Ojus’ rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ojus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ojus’ 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.