Photo: Alexf · CC BY-SA 3.0Surfside’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surfside gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #46 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (70%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 85 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 Surfside’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Surfside 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
Coastal 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 Surfside’s grade
Hurricanes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Surfside, and Surfside’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #46 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Surfside’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Surfside has less expected damage per building than 93% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Surfside: $987K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Surfside flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Surfside, from FEMA’s records: 22.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma15 claims · $344K
- The June South Florida Flooding14 claims · $400K
- Hurricane Irene13 claims · $51K
Surfside is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dade County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Surfside
Disasters that paid out in Surfside itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Surfside), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma569 households applied for aid$234K aid approved$561K to the Town of Surfside for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $344K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma173 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$431K to the Town of Surfside for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$54K to the Town of Surfside for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
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 Surfside after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Surfside archive →Surfside and its neighbors
Surfside is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bal Harbour | Bless damage than 55% | hurricanes | 30 |
| Surfside | B−more damage than 52% | hurricanes | 85 |
| Indian Creek | — | 39 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Surfside 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Surfside 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 Surfside
Is Surfside at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surfside has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #46 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (70%) and river and rain flooding (21%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Surfside flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Surfside since 1991, $1.8M in all, or 22.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (15).
Is Surfside 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 Surfside?
Surfside 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 Surfside?
By FEMA money that reached Surfside, Hurricane Irma (2017): 569 households applied for aid, $234K approved, and $561K to the Town of Surfside for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 15 paid, $344K.
Is Surfside at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Surfside’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Surfside.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Surfside’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.