FEMA puts West Little River’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Little River gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #365 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (45%). Flood insurance has paid 193 claims here since 1979.
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 West Little River’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Little River 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 West Little River’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Little River, and West Little River’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 45%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #365 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Little River’s residents live in 12 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, West Little River has more expected damage per building than 57% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across West Little River: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Little River flood? Yes: 193 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Little River, from FEMA’s records: 17.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene29 claims · $176K
- Hurricane Irma18 claims · $608K
- Hurricane Eta5 claims · $135K
West Little River 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 West Little River
Disasters that paid out in West Little River itself (aid to households or repair grants to West Little River), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma38 households applied for aid$22K aid approved18 flood claims paid for it, $608K
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 West Little River after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Little River archive →West Little River and its neighbors
West Little River is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 4,323 |
| Gladeview | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 31 |
| Hialeah | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 1,779 |
| Pinewood | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 259 |
| Westview | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| West Little River | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 193 |
| El Portal | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
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 West Little River 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 West Little River
Is West Little River at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Little River has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #365 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Little River flood?
Flood insurance has paid 193 claims in West Little River since 1979, $2.9M in all, or 17.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (29).
Is West Little River 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 West Little River?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Little River’s 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 West Little River?
By FEMA money that reached West Little River, Hurricane Irma (2017): 38 households applied for aid, $22K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 29 paid, $176K.
Is West Little River at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and West Little River’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Little River.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Little River’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.