FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Virginia Gardens than in 72% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Virginia Gardens gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (50%), then river and rain flooding (48%). Flood insurance has paid 61 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 Virginia Gardens 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 Virginia Gardens’ grade
Hurricanes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Virginia Gardens, and Virginia Gardens’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 48% (higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Virginia Gardens’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $577K a year in losses across Virginia Gardens: $473K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Virginia Gardens flood? Sometimes: 61 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Virginia Gardens, from FEMA’s records: 68.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $65K
- Hurricane Katrina2 claims · $21K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $15K
Virginia Gardens 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Virginia Gardens
Disasters that paid out in Virginia Gardens itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Virginia Gardens), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma444 households applied for aid$142K aid approved$76K to the Village of Virginia Gardens for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $15K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma171 households applied for aid$72K aid approved$208K to the Village of Virginia Gardens for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$113K to the Village of Virginia Gardens for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $21K
- 2004Hurricane Frances2 households applied for aid$11K to the Village of Virginia Gardens for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $512
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the Village of Virginia Gardens for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$17K to the Village of Virginia Gardens for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $65K
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 Virginia Gardens after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Virginia Gardens archive →Virginia Gardens and its neighbors
Virginia Gardens 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Gardens | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 61 |
| Miami Springs | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 445 |
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 Virginia Gardens 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Virginia Gardens
Is Virginia Gardens at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Virginia Gardens has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (50%) and river and rain flooding (48%). 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 Virginia Gardens flood?
Flood insurance has paid 61 claims in Virginia Gardens since 1991, $1.2M in all, or 68.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Virginia Gardens 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 Virginia Gardens?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Virginia Gardens’ 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 Virginia Gardens?
By FEMA money that reached Virginia Gardens, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 171 households applied for aid, $72K approved, and $208K to the Village of Virginia Gardens for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $65K.
Is Virginia Gardens at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Virginia Gardens’ rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Virginia Gardens.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Virginia Gardens’ 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.