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Escambia 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 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
The NCEI record lists 606 events for Escambia County, Florida, between 1950 and 2026; damaging wind account for the largest share.
That is 92.2 events per 100 square miles, in line with the Florida figure of 73.8, and 18.8 per 10,000 residents against 18.2 statewide.
6 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 8 deaths and 222 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $190M.
FEMA has designated the county in 40 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 16,499 claims since 1978, of which 12,649 were paid, totalling $732M (about $58K per paid claim). FEMA counts 10,067 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively High" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively Moderate" ($174M a year across 18 hazards).
95 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 19 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Florida and the United States
| Measure | Escambia County | Florida | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 606 | 39,578 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 92.2 | 73.8 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 18.8 | 18.2 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 6 | 1,307 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 8 | 890 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $190M | $80B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 51.2 | 20.6 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $58K | $62K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 27.2 | 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: 252 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 234 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Sep 2001 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 2 | — | County |
| 29 Apr 2014 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $150M | — | 1 | — | County |
| 7 Feb 1971 | Tornado | Tornado | F3 | $2.5M | — | — | 112 | County |
| 6 Aug 1996 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | County |
| 14 Jul 2003 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 13 Jul 2008 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 20 Nov 1983 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 13 Dec 2016 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 30 Oct 1967 | Tornado | Tornado | F3 | $250K | — | — | 44 | County |
| 26 May 1973 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $250K | — | — | 7 | County |
| 23 Feb 2016 | Tornado | Tornado | EF3 | $22M | — | — | 3 | County |
| 18 Oct 2007 | Tornado | Tornado | EF1 | $1.0M | — | — | 4 | County |
| 12 Sep 1979 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $250K | — | — | 4 | County |
| 3 Apr 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 75 mph | $70K | — | — | 4 | County |
| 19 May 1959 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $30 | — | — | 4 | County |
| 12 Jul 2008 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 4 | County |
| 15 Feb 2016 | Tornado | Tornado | EF3 | $5.0M | — | — | 3 | County |
| 19 May 1959 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $25K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 31 Mar 1962 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $3K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 9 Jan 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | 2 | 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 |
| 29 Sep 2022 | DR-4673 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian | Public assistance |
| 24 Sep 2022 | EM-3584 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Ian | 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 |
| 9 Oct 2018 | EM-3405 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael | Public assistance |
| 8 Oct 2017 | EM-3395 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate | 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 | Individual assistance, 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 |
| 16 May 2001 | FM-2361 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Fl - Escambia Fire Complex - 05/16/01 | Public assistance |
| 3 Oct 2000 | DR-1344 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Helene | 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 |
| 18 Jun 1998 | DR-1223 | Major disaster | Fire | Extreme Fire Hazard | 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 |
| 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 |
| 24 Mar 1979 | EM-3075 | Emergency | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 3 Jul 1970 | DR-289 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding | 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 | 3 | 1 | $6,638 | $6,638 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2024 | 16 | 4 | $21,638 | $5,409 |
| 2023 | 115 | 101 | $5,819,639 | $57,620 |
| 2022 | 7 | 4 | $25,050 | $6,263 |
| 2021 | 28 | 14 | $227,715 | $16,265 |
| 2020 | 2,495 | 1,947 | $98,491,866 | $50,586 |
| 2019 | 5 | 2 | $65,880 | $32,940 |
| 2018 | 24 | 13 | $155,476 | $11,960 |
| 2017 | 39 | 27 | $401,820 | $14,882 |
| 2016 | 10 | 3 | $57,965 | $19,322 |
| 2015 | 12 | 4 | $13,936 | $3,484 |
| 2014 | 1,566 | 1,313 | $75,380,925 | $57,411 |
| 2013 | 10 | 4 | $46,734 | $11,683 |
| 2012 | 385 | 305 | $10,765,173 | $35,296 |
| 2011 | 7 | 2 | $10,729 | $5,365 |
| 2010 | 7 | 4 | $43,127 | $10,782 |
| 2009 | 23 | 15 | $209,326 | $13,955 |
| 2008 | 25 | 19 | $252,443 | $13,286 |
| 2007 | 33 | 20 | $364,475 | $18,224 |
| 2006 | 6 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2005 | 960 | 745 | $17,439,060 | $23,408 |
| 2004 | 4,992 | 4,206 | $439,449,734 | $104,482 |
| 2003 | 11 | 3 | $4,439 | $1,480 |
| 2002 | 149 | 101 | $845,258 | $8,369 |
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 | $120,936,676 | |
| Inland flooding | $32,994,181 | |
| Heat wave | $4,844,358 | |
| Lightning | $4,259,298 | |
| Cold wave | $3,990,247 | |
| Tornado | $2,551,450 | |
| Coastal flooding | $1,759,433 | |
| Earthquake | $710,682 | |
| Wildfire | $533,047 | |
| Strong wind | $476,193 | |
| Hail | $365,472 | |
| Drought | $167,496 | |
| Winter weather | $94,410 | |
| Ice storm | $24,819 | |
| Landslide | $1,009 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sally | 2020 | 17 mi | 109 mph |
| Alberto | 2018 | 80 mi | 52 mph |
| Gordon | 2018 | 65 mi | 69 mph |
| Nate | 2017 | 94 mi | 69 mph |
| Lee | 2011 | 89 mi | 46 mph |
| Claudette | 2009 | 43 mi | 46 mph |
| Ida | 2009 | 44 mi | 58 mph |
| Fay | 2008 | 85 mi | 46 mph |
| Arlene | 2005 | 19 mi | 58 mph |
| Cindy | 2005 | 96 mi | 46 mph |
| Dennis | 2005 | 16 mi | 127 mph |
| Ivan | 2004 | 41 mi | 121 mph |
| Hanna | 2002 | 65 mi | 58 mph |
| Allison | 2001 | 72 mi | 40 mph |
| Barry | 2001 | 55 mi | 69 mph |
| Helene | 2000 | 43 mi | 58 mph |
| Earl | 1998 | 84 mi | 92 mph |
| Georges | 1998 | 64 mi | 104 mph |
| Danny | 1997 | 7 mi | 81 mph |
| Erin | 1995 | 12 mi | 98 mph |
| Opal | 1995 | 21 mi | 115 mph |
| Alberto | 1994 | 50 mi | 63 mph |
| Elena | 1985 | 57 mi | 121 mph |
| Juan | 1985 | 28 mi | 63 mph |
| Frederic | 1979 | 70 mi | 132 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
- 32561 7,464
- 32507 5,669
- 32506 1,648
- 32502 500
- 32514 451
- 32503 338
- 32526 314
- 32505 291
- 32501 230
- 32533 209
- 32534 151
- 32504 110
- 32591 45
- 32500 31
- 32573 16
- 32577 8
- 32560 7
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 Escambia County, FL?
NCEI records 80 hail events in Escambia County since 1950, in 34 different years; that is about 1.0 recorded events a year. 20 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Escambia County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 99 tornadoes in Escambia County since 1950, 15 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 0.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Escambia County?
28 Sep 2024: Hurricane Helene, a major disaster declaration for hurricane. The county appears in 40 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Escambia County, and how much was paid?
16,499 NFIP claims since 1978, 12,649 of them paid, for $732M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Escambia County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively High" for overall risk, "Relatively Moderate" for expected annual loss, "Relatively Moderate" for social vulnerability and "Relatively Low" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Escambia County compare with the rest of Florida?
92.2 recorded events per 100 square miles against 73.8 statewide, and 51.2 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 1 Oct 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 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.