On FEMA’s figures, West Miami faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Miami gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #269 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (47%). Flood insurance has paid 54 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 West Miami 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 Miami’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Miami, and West Miami’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 47%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #269 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Miami’s residents live in 2 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 Miami has less expected damage per building than 58% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across West Miami: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Miami flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Miami, from FEMA’s records: 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene10 claims · $344K
- Hurricane Katrina1 claim · $6K
West Miami 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Miami
Disasters that paid out in West Miami itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Miami), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma320 households applied for aid$88K aid approved$1.5M to the City of West Miami for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma345 households applied for aid$210K aid approved$1.3M to the City of West Miami for repairs
- 2005Tropical Storm Rita$3K to the City of West Miami for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$434K to the City of West Miami for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne$2K to the City of West Miami for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances15 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$16K to the City of West Miami for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$962K to the City of West Miami for repairs31 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$58K to the City of West Miami for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $344K
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 Miami after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Miami archive →West Miami and its neighbors
West Miami 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coral Terrace | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 184 |
| West Miami | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
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 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.
- 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 Miami
Is West Miami at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Miami has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #269 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Miami flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in West Miami since 1991, $1.3M in all, or 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (10).
Is West 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 West Miami?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Miami’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 Miami?
By FEMA money that reached West Miami, Hurricane Irma (2017): 320 households applied for aid, $88K approved, and $1.5M to the City of West Miami for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 10 paid, $344K.
Is West Miami at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and West Miami’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Miami.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West 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.