More hazard damage per building is expected in Olympia Heights than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olympia Heights gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #184 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (47%). Flood insurance has paid 37 claims here since 1992.
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 Olympia Heights 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 Olympia Heights’ grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Olympia Heights, and Olympia Heights’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 47% (lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
C #184 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Olympia Heights’ residents live in 4 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, Olympia Heights has less expected damage per building than 71% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Olympia Heights: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Olympia Heights flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Olympia Heights, from FEMA’s records: 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene14 claims · $167K
- Hurricane Katrina2 claims · $22K
- Hurricane Andrew1 claim · $470
Olympia Heights 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Olympia Heights
Disasters that paid out in Olympia Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to Olympia Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma8 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Wilma8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
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 Olympia Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Olympia Heights archive →Olympia Heights and its neighbors
Olympia Heights has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia Heights | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 37 |
| Glenvar Heights | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 112 |
| Westchester | Cmore damage than 75% | hurricanes | 133 |
| Westwood Lakes | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
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 Olympia Heights 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 Olympia Heights
Is Olympia Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olympia Heights has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #184 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Olympia Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Olympia Heights since 1992, $453K in all, or 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (14).
Is Olympia Heights 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 Olympia Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Olympia Heights’ 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 Olympia Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Olympia Heights, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 8 households applied for aid, $3K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 14 paid, $167K.
Is Olympia Heights at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Olympia Heights’ rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Olympia Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Olympia Heights’ 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.