Bay County, Florida
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 29 Sep 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
The NCEI record lists 690 events for Bay County, Florida, between 1950 and 2026; damaging wind account for the largest share.
That is 91.0 events per 100 square miles, in line with the Florida figure of 73.8, and 38.5 per 10,000 residents against 18.2 statewide.
16 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 16 deaths and 149 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $138M and crop damage at $450.
FEMA has designated the county in 49 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Hurricane Helene (major disaster, 28 Sep 2024).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 9,005 claims since 1978, of which 6,338 were paid, totalling $338M (about $53K per paid claim). FEMA counts 13,382 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively Moderate" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively Moderate" ($158M a year across 18 hazards).
98 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 18 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Florida and the United States
| Measure | Bay County | Florida | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 690 | 39,578 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 91.0 | 73.8 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 38.5 | 18.2 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 16 | 1,307 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 16 | 890 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $138M | $80B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 50.3 | 20.6 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $53K | $62K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 20.9 | 18.3 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 494 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 116 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 2004 | Hurricane (Typhoon) | Tropical | — | $25M | — | 2 | 8 | Forecast zone |
| 2 Sep 1998 | Hurricane (Typhoon) | Tropical | — | $3.0M | — | 2 | — | Forecast zone |
| 6 Aug 2012 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 2 | — | County |
| 10 Dec 1967 | Tornado | Tornado | F3 | $2.5M | — | 1 | 50 | County |
| 15 Sep 2004 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $5.0M | — | 1 | 7 | County |
| 12 Jan 1975 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $250K | — | 1 | 3 | County |
| 15 Sep 2004 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $500K | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 2 Aug 1999 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 22 Aug 2008 | Tropical Storm | Tropical | — | $15K | — | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 10 Sep 1996 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 26 Jun 2007 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 16 Aug 2009 | Tropical Storm | Tropical | — | — | — | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 16 Aug 2021 | Heavy Rain | Other | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 22 Nov 1953 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $25K | — | — | 22 | County |
| 27 Oct 2025 | Tornado | Tornado | EF1 | $500K | — | — | 10 | County |
| 2 Jan 1999 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $4.0M | — | — | 7 | County |
| 26 Apr 1973 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $2.5M | — | — | 6 | County |
| 17 May 1980 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $25K | — | — | 6 | County |
| 20 Feb 1952 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $25K | — | — | 4 | County |
| 16 Apr 1954 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $25K | — | — | 3 | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sep 2024 | DR-4828 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene | Public assistance |
| 24 Sep 2024 | EM-3615 | Emergency | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene | Public assistance |
| 10 Aug 2024 | DR-4806 | Major disaster | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby | Public assistance |
| 3 Aug 2024 | EM-3605 | Emergency | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby | Public assistance |
| 31 Aug 2023 | DR-4734 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia | Public assistance |
| 28 Aug 2023 | EM-3596 | Emergency | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Idalia | Public assistance |
| 29 Sep 2022 | DR-4673 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian | Public assistance |
| 24 Sep 2022 | EM-3584 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Ian | Public assistance |
| 6 Mar 2022 | FM-5426 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Chipola Fire Complex | Public assistance |
| 4 Mar 2022 | FM-5424 | Fire management assistance | Fire | 1707 Adkins Ave Fire | Public assistance |
| 16 Aug 2021 | EM-3562 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Fred | Public assistance |
| 23 Sep 2020 | DR-4564 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 15 Sep 2020 | EM-3546 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally | Public assistance |
| 25 Mar 2020 | DR-4486 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3432 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 30 Aug 2019 | EM-3419 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian | Public assistance |
| 11 Oct 2018 | DR-4399 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 9 Oct 2018 | EM-3405 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael | Public assistance |
| 10 Sep 2017 | DR-4337 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma | Public assistance |
| 5 Sep 2017 | EM-3385 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma | Public assistance |
| 6 May 2014 | DR-4177 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 2 Aug 2013 | DR-4138 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 18 Oct 2012 | DR-4084 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaac | Public assistance |
| 21 Apr 2009 | DR-1831 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Straight-Line Winds | Public assistance |
| 27 Oct 2008 | DR-1806 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav | Public assistance |
| 21 Aug 2008 | EM-3288 | Emergency | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Fay | Public assistance |
| 5 Sep 2005 | EM-3220 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 28 Aug 2005 | DR-1602 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina | Public assistance |
| 10 Jul 2005 | DR-1595 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Dennis | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 16 Sep 2004 | DR-1551 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Ivan | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 4 Sep 2004 | DR-1545 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Frances | Public assistance |
| 13 Aug 2004 | DR-1539 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Bonnie And Hurricane Charley | Public assistance |
| 17 Jun 2001 | DR-1381 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Allison | Public assistance |
| 3 Oct 2000 | DR-1344 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Helene | Public assistance |
| 27 Apr 1999 | EM-3139 | Emergency | Fire | Fl-Fires 04/15/99 | Public assistance |
| 17 Apr 1999 | FM-2255 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Fl-Fires 04/13/99 | Public assistance |
| 28 Sep 1998 | DR-1249 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Georges | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 25 Sep 1998 | EM-3131 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Grorges | Public assistance |
| 4 Sep 1998 | DR-1241 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Earl | Individual assistance |
| 18 Jun 1998 | DR-1223 | Major disaster | Fire | Extreme Fire Hazard | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 6 Jan 1998 | DR-1195 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, High Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 4 Oct 1995 | DR-1069 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Opal | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 10 Aug 1995 | DR-1062 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Erin | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 10 Jul 1994 | DR-1035 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding (Tropical Storm Alberto) | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 8 Jul 1994 | EM-3114 | Emergency | Flood | Tropical Storm Alberto | Public assistance |
| 3 Apr 1990 | DR-862 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 13 Sep 1979 | DR-600 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Frederic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 26 Sep 1975 | DR-484 | Major disaster | Flood | High Winds, Heavy Rains & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 22 Aug 1975 | DR-479 | Major disaster | Flood | Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 1 | $26,064 | $26,064 |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | $16,469 | $16,469 |
| 2024 | 19 | 5 | $114,646 | $22,929 |
| 2023 | 13 | 5 | $134,183 | $26,837 |
| 2022 | 15 | 8 | $158,917 | $19,865 |
| 2021 | 178 | 148 | $6,293,420 | $42,523 |
| 2020 | 347 | 263 | $10,675,214 | $40,590 |
| 2019 | 23 | 15 | $338,897 | $22,593 |
| 2018 | 2,185 | 1,298 | $126,166,933 | $97,201 |
| 2017 | 12 | 6 | $149,941 | $24,990 |
| 2016 | 33 | 15 | $335,280 | $22,352 |
| 2015 | 12 | 8 | $88,129 | $11,016 |
| 2014 | 33 | 21 | $321,428 | $15,306 |
| 2013 | 528 | 445 | $13,570,670 | $30,496 |
| 2012 | 32 | 13 | $278,781 | $21,445 |
| 2011 | 7 | 2 | $12,272 | $6,136 |
| 2010 | 19 | 13 | $275,911 | $21,224 |
| 2009 | 33 | 20 | $195,967 | $9,798 |
| 2008 | 169 | 148 | $3,707,546 | $25,051 |
| 2007 | 5 | 1 | $1,611 | $1,611 |
| 2006 | 3 | 1 | $5,991 | $5,991 |
| 2005 | 528 | 431 | $16,504,250 | $38,293 |
| 2004 | 344 | 224 | $6,038,377 | $26,957 |
| 2003 | 27 | 14 | $147,123 | $10,509 |
| 2002 | 11 | 4 | $55,335 | $13,834 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | $117,804,683 | |
| Inland flooding | $16,766,511 | |
| Tornado | $11,004,314 | |
| Cold wave | $3,607,165 | |
| Lightning | $3,041,540 | |
| Heat wave | $2,053,579 | |
| Coastal flooding | $1,914,879 | |
| Strong wind | $937,097 | |
| Earthquake | $377,863 | |
| Wildfire | $294,375 | |
| Hail | $75,932 | |
| Winter weather | $35,254 | |
| Drought | $2,044 | |
| Landslide | $423 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicole | 2022 | 92 mi | 40 mph |
| Fred | 2021 | 31 mi | 63 mph |
| Mindy | 2021 | 41 mi | 58 mph |
| Nestor | 2019 | 9 mi | 46 mph |
| Alberto | 2018 | 29 mi | 58 mph |
| Michael | 2018 | 9 mi | 161 mph |
| Colin | 2016 | 91 mi | 52 mph |
| Hermine | 2016 | 86 mi | 81 mph |
| Debby | 2012 | 81 mi | 52 mph |
| Claudette | 2009 | 29 mi | 58 mph |
| Fay | 2008 | 23 mi | 52 mph |
| Alberto | 2006 | 97 mi | 52 mph |
| Dennis | 2005 | 84 mi | 127 mph |
| Bonnie | 2004 | 47 mi | 52 mph |
| Frances | 2004 | 80 mi | 58 mph |
| Barry | 2001 | 49 mi | 69 mph |
| Helene | 2000 | 68 mi | 40 mph |
| Earl | 1998 | 11 mi | 92 mph |
| Josephine | 1996 | 86 mi | 69 mph |
| Allison | 1995 | 63 mi | 69 mph |
| Erin | 1995 | 60 mi | 98 mph |
| Opal | 1995 | 94 mi | 115 mph |
| Alberto | 1994 | 59 mi | 63 mph |
| Beryl | 1994 | 9 mi | 58 mph |
| Elena | 1985 | 57 mi | 127 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
- 32407 1,637
- 32408 1,398
- 32444 1,221
- 32405 1,137
- 32413 1,058
- 32404 838
- 32401 556
- 32409 191
- 32410 146
- 32466 41
- 32402 16
- 32400 9
- 32411 7
- 32438 5
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Bay County, FL?
NCEI records 68 hail events in Bay County since 1950, in 32 different years; that is about 0.9 recorded events a year. 13 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Bay County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 92 tornadoes in Bay County since 1950, 18 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 4.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Bay County?
28 Sep 2024: Hurricane Helene, a major disaster declaration for hurricane. The county appears in 49 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Bay County, and how much was paid?
9,005 NFIP claims since 1978, 6,338 of them paid, for $338M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Bay County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively Moderate" for overall risk, "Relatively Moderate" for expected annual loss, "Relatively Low" for social vulnerability and "Relatively Low" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Bay County compare with the rest of Florida?
91.0 recorded events per 100 square miles against 73.8 statewide, and 50.3 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 20.6. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 29 Sep 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 30 Sep 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.