Photo: Ivan Curra · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts South Miami’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Miami gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #138 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (54%), then river and rain flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 87 claims here since 1991.
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 South Miami’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Miami 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 South Miami’s grade
Hurricanes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Miami, and South Miami’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 43% (lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
C #138 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Miami’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, South Miami has less expected damage per building than 78% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across South Miami: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Miami flood? Sometimes: 87 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Miami, from FEMA’s records: 16.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene26 claims · $241K
- Hurricane Katrina12 claims · $189K
- Hurricane Andrew1 claim · $163K
South Miami is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Miami
Disasters that paid out in South Miami itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Miami), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian$4K to the City of South Miami for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma826 households applied for aid$276K aid approved$2.3M to the City of South Miami for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$17K to the City of South Miami for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma647 households applied for aid$295K aid approved$2.2M to the City of South Miami for repairs
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$13K to the City of South Miami for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$1.6M to the City of South Miami for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $189K
Show all 12
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$13K to the City of South Miami for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances79 households applied for aid$164K aid approved$88K to the City of South Miami for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes22 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$699K to the City of South Miami for repairs36 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$90K to the City of South Miami for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $241K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$19K to the City of South Miami 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 South Miami after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Miami archive →South Miami and its neighbors
South Miami has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Miami | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 87 |
| Glenvar Heights | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 112 |
| Pinecrest | C−more damage than 81% | 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 South Miami 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.
- South Miami residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in South Miami
Is South Miami at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Miami has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #138 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (54%) and river and rain flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Miami flood?
Flood insurance has paid 87 claims in South Miami since 1991, $1.3M in all, or 16.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (26).
Is South Miami 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 South Miami?
South Miami is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 South Miami?
By FEMA money that reached South Miami, Hurricane Irma (2017): 826 households applied for aid, $276K approved, and $2.3M to the City of South Miami for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 26 paid, $241K.
Is South Miami at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and South Miami’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Miami.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Miami’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.