County: Miami-Dade
ZIP Codes: 33141, 33138, 33153
Miami Shores, Florida, is situated right on the east coast of the state, north of downtown Miami. This proximity to the Atlantic coast puts the town at a high risk for the potent effects of hurricanes, with storm surge, high wind, and flooding being chief concerns. While Miami Shores' elevation is slightly higher than other neighboring coastal communities, it's important to note that the elevation is still quite low overall, ranging between 3 and 13 feet above sea level, which makes it susceptible to flooding. Historically, the coastal community has experienced its share of hurricanes and subsequent flooding, due to both storm surge and heavy rainfall. In the past 30 years, Miami Shores has been affected by numerous hurricanes including Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which was a Category 5 storm and one of the most powerful to hit South Florida. More recently, Hurricanes Wilma in 2005 and Irma in 2017 have also significantly impacted the town. Hurricane Wilma caused extensive damage to buildings and vegetation, while Irma resulted in impressive storm surge and caused widespread flooding throughout Miami Shores. Due to its geographical location and historical storm impacts, it's essential to recognize that Miami Shores is vulnerable to the effects of hurricanes, including damaging winds, storm surge flooding, and excessive rainfall causing inland flooding.