County: Miami-Dade
ZIP Codes: 33167, 33160, 33161, 33168, 33181, 33261
North Miami, Florida, due to its direct coastal location and extremely low elevation level (average elevation in Miami is only around 6 feet), is at a high potential threat from hurricanes and related impacts such as storm surge, high winds, and flooding. Storm surge threatens to inundate whole sections of Miami, and the low-lying homes, businesses, and highways are particularly vulnerable. Flash flooding can also occur, triggered by significant rainfall events that overwhelm the area's drainage system. Even without storm surge, the city is prone to flood from sea-level rise and increased rain events, both of which are connected to climate change. Regarding historical hurricanes and floods over the last 30 years, North Miami was majorly affected by several; however, the most significant one would be Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which was a Category 5 hurricane causing massive destruction. After that, hurricanes like Wilma (2005) and Irma (2017) left considerable impacts. Irma, although only making landfall as a Category 4, caused one of the largest power outages in US history in Miami and resulted in significant flooding and wind damage. The large amount of older construction in Miami, not built to newer, stricter building codes, are particularly vulnerable to wind damage. As such, frequent inspections and updates to buildings and infrastructure, especially in older community sectors, are crucial in mitigating hurricane damage.