FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in The Hammocks than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, The Hammocks gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #408 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 555 claims here since 1981.
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 The Hammocks’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What The Hammocks 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 The Hammocks’ grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in The Hammocks, and The Hammocks’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 34%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #408 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
The Hammocks’ residents live in 16 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, The Hammocks has more expected damage per building than 64% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.0M a year in losses across The Hammocks: $14.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does The Hammocks flood? Yes: 555 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in The Hammocks, from FEMA’s records: 27.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene269 claims · $1.6M
- Hurricane Katrina86 claims · $1.0M
- Hurricane Irma17 claims · $318K
The Hammocks 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to The Hammocks
Disasters that paid out in The Hammocks itself (aid to households or repair grants to The Hammocks), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma17 households applied for aid$3K aid approved17 flood claims paid for it, $318K
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 The Hammocks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the The Hammocks archive →The Hammocks and its neighbors
The Hammocks has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hammocks | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 555 |
| The Crossings | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 404 |
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 The Hammocks 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in The Hammocks
Is The Hammocks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, The Hammocks has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #408 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does The Hammocks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 555 claims in The Hammocks since 1981, $4.3M in all, or 27.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (269).
Is The Hammocks 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 The Hammocks?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for The Hammocks’ 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 The Hammocks?
By FEMA money that reached The Hammocks, Hurricane Irma (2017): 17 households applied for aid, $3K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 269 paid, $1.6M.
Is The Hammocks at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and The Hammocks’ rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in The Hammocks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where The Hammocks’ 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.