The Graham family's company began building here in 1962 on land owned by state senator Ernest "Cap" Graham, following a master plan by Lester Collins that is often cited as an early example of New Urbanism. The original section lies east of the Palmetto Expressway, and Main Street serves as the town center. Voters made it Miami-Dade's 31st municipality in December 2000. Hialeah wraps around the south and west, Miami Gardens sits to the east and Country Club to the north.
Fire & Water Energy points callers toward contractors; it never takes on the job itself. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to find an independent restoration contractor serving Miami Lakes. Contractors quote and schedule on their own terms, and we cannot promise one is open. Learn the details under how it works and the referral disclosure.
Lakes, low ground and a long list of Miami-Dade storms
About 0.85 of the town's 6.5 square miles is water, mostly the curving lakes the community is named for, and the land sits roughly 7 feet above sea level. The climate is tropical rainforest bordering tropical monsoon, with hot, wet summers and a hurricane season the county runs from June 1 to November 30.
Miami-Dade County has been part of FEMA major disaster declarations for severe storms and flooding in 2000, severe storms and tornadoes in 2003, Bonnie and Charley, Frances and Jeanne in 2004, Katrina and Wilma in 2005, Irma in 2017, Ian and Nicole in 2022 and Milton in 2024. These are countywide records rather than accounts of damage in a particular neighborhood.
Leaks in homes built from the 1960s onward
Because construction has continued in phases since 1962, the housing ranges from early single-family homes to much newer townhouses and apartments. Older properties may have original cast-iron drain lines and aging copper, while any home can suffer from a burst water heater, a failed washer hose or an AC drain pan that overflows in the humid months.
When you search for water damage restoration in Miami Lakes, expect a qualified contractor to stop the source, extract water, open wet walls if needed and dry with dehumidifiers while tracking readings. A failed drain or toilet backup may need sewage cleanup procedures instead.
Federal disaster declarations that included Miami-Dade County
FEMA records show Miami-Dade County was included in 11 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (9 hurricane, 2 severe storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Miami Lakes was affected. The most recent:
- 2024 – Hurricane Milton (DR-4834)
- 2022 – Hurricane Nicole (DR-4680)
- 2022 – Hurricane Ian (DR-4673)
- 2017 – Hurricane Irma (DR-4337)
- 2005 – Hurricane Wilma (DR-1609)
- 2005 – Hurricane Katrina (DR-1602)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Miami Lakes?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Miami Lakes property.
Restoring rooms after a fire
Smoke from a kitchen or electrical fire can travel through the whole house within minutes and settle as a greasy film on walls, cabinets and electronics. Soaking up the water used to put the fire out is part of the job too.
Fire restoration firms generally board up, haul out ruined materials, dry anything wet from firefighting and then clean and deodorize. Our fire damage cleanup and soot removal guides go into detail.
Heavy rain, rising lakes and hurricane cleanup
On low, flat land laced with lakes, intense tropical rain has limited room to drain, and water can collect in yards, garages and ground-floor rooms. Hurricane winds bring down trees and tear at roofs, letting rain into ceilings and insulation.
Outside water is treated as contaminated, so porous materials it soaks are usually removed. Contractors offering flood cleanup and storm damage cleanup commonly clear debris and secure the roof before drying begins.
Stopping mold in a lakeside climate
Moist air off the lakes and South Florida's heat give mold an easy start on damp drywall, carpet or wood. If the power is out after a storm and the AC is off, check rooms daily for musty odors and discoloration.
EPA guidance says that areas larger than about 10 square feet warrant a professional. Read about containment and testing on our mold remediation page.
Immediate steps for Miami Lakes residents
- For fire, injury, a gas odor or downed wires, call 911.
- Keep clear of any water that may be in contact with electrical outlets or cords.
- Register for Alert Miami Lakes on the town's Emergency Preparedness page, and use Miami Lakes Connect to report problems such as blocked drains or fallen trees.
- Document damage with photos and keep receipts for emergency costs.
- Contact your insurer or agent about coverage; flood is typically insured separately.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Miami Lakes that callers often mention include:
- Main Street
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Miami Lakes):
- Country Club · 3 mi
- Hialeah · 4 mi
- Miami Gardens · 5 mi
- West Little River · 6 mi
- Biscayne Gardens · 7 mi
- Doral · 7 mi
Miami Lakes restoration FAQs
How do I get local emergency alerts in Miami Lakes?
The town offers Alert Miami Lakes, a sign-up linked from its Emergency Preparedness page. Miami-Dade County runs its own alerts as well, so signing up for both gives you town and county notices.
Are older Miami Lakes homes more likely to have plumbing leaks?
Homes from the town's early decades may still have original pipes, drains or water heaters well past their expected life. Signs like warped floors, recurring stains or a rising water bill are worth having checked.
Do the lakes raise my flood risk?
The town sits about 7 feet above sea level with a significant share of its area in water, so heavy rain has limited room to go. Check your flood zone and consider whether a separate flood policy makes sense for your home.
Who will do the restoration work if I call Fire & Water Energy?
An independent contractor you choose. We only make the referral, so confirm licensing, insurance, scope and pricing directly with the company before work starts.
Restoration guides
- Water Damage Restoration
- Sewage Cleanup
- Flood Cleanup
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation
- Fire Damage Cleanup