Photo: TheWhitePelican · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Miami faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #126 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then ice storms (16%). Flood insurance has paid 790 claims here since 1984.
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 Miami’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
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 Miami’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Miami, and Miami’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #126 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Miami’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Oklahoma town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Miami has more expected damage per building than 96% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across Miami: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Miami flood? Yes: 790 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Miami, from FEMA’s records: 138.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms206 claims · $9.6M
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $15K
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: Ottawa County.17 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Miami
Disasters that paid out in Miami itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Miami), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding134 households applied for aid$238K aid approved$207K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$117K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$11K to the City of Miami for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$479 aid approved$23K to the City of Miami for repairs
Show all 17
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$9K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the City of Miami for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$16K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$59K to the City of Miami for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$126K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$6K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$955K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes765 households applied for aid$4.7M aid approved$1.5M to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$55K to the City of Miami for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$280K to the City of Miami for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
Ottawa County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Miami after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Miami archive →Miami and its neighbors
Miami has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 790 |
| North Miami | — | 268 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Miami
Is Miami at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miami has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #126 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and ice storms (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Miami flood?
Flood insurance has paid 790 claims in Miami since 1984, $22.7M in all, or 138.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 72 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (206).
Is 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 Ottawa County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Miami?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for 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 Miami?
By FEMA money that reached Miami, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): 765 households applied for aid, $4.7M approved, and $1.5M to the City of Miami for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 206 paid, $9.6M.
Is Miami at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Miami’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Miami.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where 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.