County: Miami-Dade
ZIP Codes: 33154
Indian Creek, located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, is vulnerable to the vast array of threats that hurricanes bring due to its coastal location. The majority of the village is made up of a barrier island that separates the Atlantic Ocean from Biscayne Bay, making it susceptible to storm surges from both directions depending upon the trajectory of an approaching storm. The elevation of Indian Creek is very low, with land only about 4-8 feet above sea level, further intensifying the storm surge threat. Therefore, residents should always be prepared for severe flooding that often accompanies such weather events. Other potential impacts from hurricanes can include heavy rainfall, high winds that can cause property damage, and the disruption of essential services. Over the past 30 years, Indian Creek has been affected by several major hurricanes and tropical storms. The most noteworthy storm in recent history was Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which caused considerable wind and storm surge damage throughout the Miami-Dade region. More recently, Indian Creek was under threat from Hurricane Irma in 2017. Although the village was fortunately spared the worst of the storm, it served as a significant reminder of the continual risk that hurricanes pose to this area. Given this history and the town's geographical vulnerabilities, it's crucial to have robust emergency procedures in place including evacuation plans and shelters, and to construct buildings to withstand hurricane-force winds.