FEMA puts Pinecrest’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pinecrest gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #338 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 51 claims here since 1999.
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 Pinecrest’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pinecrest 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 Pinecrest’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pinecrest, and Pinecrest’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 42%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #338 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pinecrest’s residents live in 8 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, Pinecrest has more expected damage per building than 53% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.5M a year in losses across Pinecrest: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pinecrest flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pinecrest, from FEMA’s records: 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina16 claims · $141K
- Hurricane Irma7 claims · $255K
- Hurricane Wilma2 claims · $45K
Pinecrest is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pinecrest
Disasters that paid out in Pinecrest itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Pinecrest), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma489 households applied for aid$148K aid approved$3.0M to the Village of Pinecrest for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $255K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$4K to the Village of Pinecrest for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma164 households applied for aid$83K aid approved$602K to the Village of Pinecrest for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $45K
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$5K to the Village of Pinecrest for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$422K to the Village of Pinecrest for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $141K
- 2004Hurricane Frances$73K to the Village of Pinecrest for repairs
Show all 9
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$2.1M to the Village of Pinecrest for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$91K to the Village of Pinecrest for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $43K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$9K to the Village of Pinecrest 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 Pinecrest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pinecrest archive →Pinecrest and its neighbors
Pinecrest is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Miami | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 87 |
| Coral Gables | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 797 |
| Glenvar Heights | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 112 |
| Kendall | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 891 |
| 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 Pinecrest 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.
- Pinecrest residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Pinecrest
Is Pinecrest at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pinecrest has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #338 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pinecrest flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Pinecrest since 1999, $1.6M in all, or 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (16).
Is Pinecrest 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 Pinecrest?
Pinecrest is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Pinecrest?
By FEMA money that reached Pinecrest, Hurricane Irma (2017): 489 households applied for aid, $148K approved, and $3.0M to the Village of Pinecrest for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 16 paid, $141K.
Is Pinecrest at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Pinecrest’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pinecrest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pinecrest’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.