Climate Risks & Coastal Living: What Miami Shores Residents Need to Know

As we enter a month dedicated to honoring our planet, we are confronted with the urgent reality of Mother Nature's crisis, and the need to take action and prepare.

On Tuesday, April 1st, risk management expert Leticia Monteagudo shared critical insights on climate change, flooding, and hurricanes—stressing the importance of adequate insurance and proactive risk management. With over 30 years of experience mitigating risks for global airports and government facilities, Leticia’s expertise in identifying vulnerabilities is invaluable for coastal homeowners.

Miami Shores: A Coastal Community at Risk

Leticia’s assessment of Miami Shores highlighted several key realities:

Anyone within five miles of the coast is considered part of a coastal community.
Miami Shores, along with other areas east of Biscayne, is on the frontline of the coastal crisis.
Property values are climbing, but so are the challenges of coastal living—demanding our attention to safeguard investments.
While some risks can be mitigated, others are inevitable—understanding them is the first step toward resilience.

Top 3 Climate Risks Facing South Florida in 2025 & Beyond

More Frequent & Severe Flooding – Rising sea levels and extreme rainfall will lead to more king tides, overwhelmed drainage systems, and potential uninhabitability in some neighborhoods.
Stronger, Slower-Moving Hurricanes – Warmer ocean temperatures will fuel more destructive storms, bringing prolonged rainfall and devastation.
Freshwater Shortages & Saltwater Intrusion – Sea-level rise will contaminate drinking water sources, creating long-term supply issues.

Miami Shores’ Environmental Vulnerability Assessment

The Village has launched an Environmental Vulnerability Assessment to evaluate critical risks and develop mitigation strategies. Key findings include:

Increased Flooding Events over the past decade.
Aging Stormwater Infrastructure, struggling to handle intensifying rainfall and rising seas.
Economic Risks, including potential declines in property value and rising insurance costs.

Proactive vs. Reactive: How to Protect Your Property

1. Take Charge of Home Protection – Understand your risk exposure and take control of safeguarding your home.

2. Review Your Insurance Coverage – Ensure your policy reflects current replacement costs and includes Ordinance of Law coverage to meet updated building codes.

3. Conduct Annual Policy Reviews – Adjust coverage to account for renovations, inflation, and new risk assessments.

4. Beware of Insurance Moratoriums – During named storms, insurers impose temporary restrictions on new policies or coverage increases—don’t wait until it’s too late!

Act Now—Don’t Wait for Disaster

Miami Shores faces undeniable climate risks, but with preparation, we can protect our homes and livelihoods. Stay informed, review your insurance, and take proactive measures today. The time to act is now.

You can reach Leticia Monteagudo at (305) 517-1106 or Leticia@azimutinsurance.com