Photo: GreenGroupMiami · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Palmetto Bay than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmetto Bay gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #352 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 80 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 Palmetto Bay’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Palmetto Bay faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Palmetto Bay’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palmetto Bay, and Palmetto Bay’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 41%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #352 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palmetto Bay’s 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, Palmetto Bay has more expected damage per building than 55% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.6M a year in losses across Palmetto Bay: $9.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palmetto Bay flood? Sometimes: 80 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palmetto Bay, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma38 claims · $1.6M
- Hurricane Katrina26 claims · $837K
- Hurricane Andrew4 claims · $123K
Palmetto Bay is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palmetto Bay
Disasters that paid out in Palmetto Bay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Palmetto Bay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian1 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma2,561 households applied for aid$843K aid approved$1.9M to the Village of Palmetto Bay for repairs38 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$6K to the Village of Palmetto Bay for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma13 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$389K to the Village of Palmetto Bay for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$7K to the Village of Palmetto Bay for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$230K to the Village of Palmetto Bay for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $837K
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Frances$7K to the Village of Palmetto Bay 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 Palmetto Bay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palmetto Bay archive →Palmetto Bay and its neighbors
Palmetto Bay is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coral Gables | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 797 |
| Palmetto Estates | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 15 |
| Cutler Bay | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 98 |
| Pinecrest | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Palmetto Bay | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
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 Palmetto Bay faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Palmetto Bay residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Palmetto Bay
Is Palmetto Bay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmetto Bay has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #352 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palmetto Bay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 80 claims in Palmetto Bay since 1992, $2.8M in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (38).
Is Palmetto Bay 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 Palmetto Bay?
Palmetto Bay is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Palmetto Bay?
By FEMA money that reached Palmetto Bay, Hurricane Irma (2017): 2,561 households applied for aid, $843K approved, and $1.9M to the Village of Palmetto Bay for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 38 paid, $1.6M.
Is Palmetto Bay at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Palmetto Bay’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palmetto Bay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palmetto Bay’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.