Photo: Discoveropalocka26 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Opa-locka faces more hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Opa-locka gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #104 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 183 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 stands out about Opa-locka’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Opa-locka 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 Opa-locka’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Opa-locka, and Opa-locka’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 34% (lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #104 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Opa-locka’s residents live in 7 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, Opa-locka has less expected damage per building than 84% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Opa-locka: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Opa-locka flood? Yes: 183 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Opa-locka, from FEMA’s records: 30.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene23 claims · $560K
- The June South Florida Flooding14 claims · $623K
- Hurricane Eta12 claims · $739K
Opa-locka 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Opa-locka
Disasters that paid out in Opa-locka itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Opa-locka), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton17 households applied for aid$1K aid approved14 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian4 households applied for aid$700 aid approved$25K to the City of Opa-locka for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $82K
- 2017Hurricane Irma9,818 households applied for aid$4.4M aid approved$427K to the City of Opa-locka for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $60K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$4K to the City of Opa-locka for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma15,736 households applied for aid$10.4M aid approved$2.1M to the City of Opa-locka for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$222K to the City of Opa-locka for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances3,543 households applied for aid$3.8M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes2,143 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved1 flood claim 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 Opa-locka after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Opa-locka archive →Opa-locka and its neighbors
Opa-locka has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opa-locka | C+more damage than 64% | hurricanes | 183 |
| Biscayne Gardens | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 386 |
| Hialeah | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 1,779 |
| Miami Gardens | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 144 |
| 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 Opa-locka 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 Opa-locka
Is Opa-locka at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Opa-locka has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #104 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Opa-locka flood?
Flood insurance has paid 183 claims in Opa-locka since 1992, $6.4M in all, or 30.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 27 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (23).
Is Opa-locka 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 Opa-locka?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Opa-locka’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 Opa-locka?
By FEMA money that reached Opa-locka, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 15,736 households applied for aid, $10.4M approved, and $2.1M to the City of Opa-locka for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 23 paid, $560K.
Is Opa-locka at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Opa-locka’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Opa-locka.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Opa-locka’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.