County: Miami-Dade
ZIP Codes: 33175, 33183
Kendale Lakes, Florida, is situated approximately 16 miles west of the coastline, which partially mitigates, but does not eliminate, its vulnerability to hurricanes. The geographical positioning of Kendale Lakes within Miami-Dade County, Florida has an elevation of 10 feet above sea level, making it susceptible to flooding events, especially during significant rainfalls, storms, or hurricanes. Historical flood risk, in particular, has been a concern due to the town's relatively low elevation and the proximity to the Everglades, which can result in high water tables and contribute to the severity of flooding after heavy rains. Consequently, community planning needs to take into account resilient construction and flood risk management as climate change exacerbates these problems. In the past 30 years, Kendale Lakes has faced impacts from various threatening hurricanes. Notable among them was Hurricane Andrew in 1992, a Category 5 storm that caused substantial damage and flooding in the area. More recently, Hurricane Irma in 2017, whilst not a direct hit, still caused significant damage due to high winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge, demonstrating that even a remote impact from a tropical cyclone can have serious repercussions. Consequently, the residents of Kendale Lakes must always be aware and prepared for the eventuality of hurricane dangers, regarding property protection, evacuation plans, and emergency supplies.