On FEMA’s figures, West Perrine faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Perrine gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #77 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 22 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 West Perrine 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 West Perrine’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Perrine, and West Perrine’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #77 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Perrine’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 Perrine has less expected damage per building than 88% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across West Perrine: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Perrine flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Perrine, from FEMA’s records: 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Andrew6 claims · $128K
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $15K
- Hurricane Katrina2 claims · $6K
West Perrine 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 Perrine
Disasters that paid out in West Perrine itself (aid to households or repair grants to West Perrine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma9 households applied for aid$6K 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 West Perrine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Perrine archive →West Perrine and its neighbors
West Perrine has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Perrine | C+more damage than 58% | hurricanes | 22 |
| Palmetto Estates | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 15 |
| South Miami Heights | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 605 |
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 Perrine 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 West Perrine
Is West Perrine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Perrine has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #77 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Perrine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in West Perrine since 1979, $164K in all, or 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Andrew (6).
Is West Perrine 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 Perrine?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Perrine’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 Perrine?
By FEMA money that reached West Perrine, Hurricane Irma (2017): 9 households applied for aid, $6K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Andrew: 6 paid, $128K.
Is West Perrine at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and West Perrine’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Perrine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Perrine’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.