County: Miami-Dade
ZIP Codes: 33140, 33141, 33139, 33109, 33119, 33239
Miami Beach, Florida, is in a high-risk location for hurricanes and their related impacts as it is a coastal city with low elevation. With a mean sea level elevation of 4.4 feet, Miami Beach is exceptionally susceptible to storm surges and flooding, even from smaller, less-powerful tropical systems. Consistent tidal flooding can escalate rapidly during a hurricane, often leaving parts of the city underwater for extended periods. Miami Beach’s waterfront location puts it at an elevated risk of high winds and significant infrastructure damage. Buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures are all at risk of sustaining damage from not just wind, but also from water erosion and heavy rainfall associated with hurricanes. In the past three decades, Miami Beach has been affected by several major hurricanes. Hurricane Andrew, in 1992, was an incredibly damaging storm for South Florida and brought significant wind and water damage to Miami Beach. More recently, in 2017, Hurricane Irma resulted in large-scale flooding across many parts of Miami Beach. The frequency and intensity of hurricanes may continue to rise due to climate change, increasing the risk for Miami Beach. It's not just hurricanes; sea-level rise is consistently increasing flood risks even in periods without storms. Thus, preparedness for these catastrophic events remains a critical priority for the city.