Bay County, Florida
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 12005 · population 174,869 · 759 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 888 records for Bay County, Florida from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 461 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (273 records). NOAA records 181 flood or flash floods there since 1998, with 0 deaths; its 9,005 flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA) rank 60th of 2,942 U.S. counties; the deadliest named storm on its flood record is Hurricane Michael (2018). The deadliest day on its record was October 10, 2018: hurricane (typhoon) and storm surge/tide records filed for Bay County that day count 25 deaths across 2 records. FEMA has issued 49 declarations naming the county since 1975, 47 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Helene” on September 28, 2024.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 888on 461 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 115165 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $8.5Bas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 92strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 49latest 2024
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Bay County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 273 since 1955. The rank column places the county among Florida's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 273 | 138 | 1955-2026 | 0 | 1 | $17M | 39 of 67 |
| Floods | 181 | 67 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | $22M | 8 of 67 |
| Tornadoes | 92 | 76 | 1952-2025 | 4 | 129 | $107M | 10 of 67 |
| Hail | 68 | 55 | 1957-2025 | 0 | 0 | $2K | 29 of 67 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 66 | 61 | 2002-2026 | 73 | 16 | – | 4 of 67 |
| Drought | 66 | 33 | 2010-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 14 of 67 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 47 | 33 | 1996-2024 | 31 | 9 | $8.4B | 17 of 67 |
| Heat | 25 | 14 | 2010-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 6 of 67 |
| Lightning | 23 | 23 | 1996-2023 | 5 | 10 | $1.0M | 25 of 67 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 18 | 15 | 1996-2024 | 1 | 0 | – | 36 of 67 |
| Heavy rain | 8 | 7 | 2010-2021 | 1 | 0 | – | 36 of 67 |
| Wildfires | 8 | 8 | 1998-2000 | 0 | 0 | $17K | 21 of 67 |
| Extreme cold | 6 | 3 | 2022-2026 | 0 | 0 | $101K | 40 of 67 |
| Winter storms | 6 | 3 | 2014-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | 23 of 67 |
| High wind and dust storms | 1 | 1 | 2024-2024 | 0 | 0 | $5K | 56 of 67 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Bay County had?
NOAA records 92 tornadoes in Bay County from 1952 to 2025, the strongest rated EF3, with 4 deaths and 129 injuries recorded in the county. That is 10th of 67 Florida counties and 38th of 3,080 U.S. counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 93 tornadoes whose track touched Bay County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 92: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 4 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967-12-10 08:20, as SPC files it | Callaway | F3 | 7.1 mi | 1 |
| 1975-01-12 10:20, as SPC files it | BainbridgeCrossed FL, GA | F2 | 168.5 mi | 1 |
| 2004-09-15 14:43, as SPC files it | Mexico Beach | F1 | 5 mi | 1 |
| 2004-09-15 14:40, as SPC files it | Panama | F1 | 5 mi | 1 |
| 2024-01-09 05:31, as SPC files it | Panama | EF3 | 5.2 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Florida.
Every tornado record filed for Bay County (92)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-27 | Davis Beach, Bay County | EF0 0.55 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K |
| 2025-10-27 | Mexico Beach, Bay County | EF1 1.22 mi x 270 yd | 0 | 10 | $500K |
| 2024-01-09 | Betts, Bay County | EF0 1.16 mi x 450 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-01-09 | Parker, Bay County | EF2 0.88 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $71K |
| 2024-01-09 | Lynn Haven, Bay County | EF2 12.89 mi x 600 yd | 0 | 2 | $4.7M |
| 2024-01-09 | Biltmore Beach, Bay County | EF3 5.2 mi x 550 yd | 0 | 0 | $14M |
| 2024-01-09 | Biltmore Beach, Bay County | EF0 0.23 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $941 |
| 2023-04-27 | Lynn Haven, Bay County | EF1 0.8 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $194K |
| 2023-03-17 | Westbay, Bay County | EF0 5.2 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2022-03-18 | Magnolia Beach, Bay County | EF2 1.64 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $504K |
| 2022-03-09 | Springfield, Bay County | EF1 0.41 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $101K |
| 2021-04-10 | Lynn Haven, Bay County | EF1 0.25 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $109K |
| 2021-04-10 | West Panama City, Bay County | EF0 0.5 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2021-04-10 | Sunnyside, Bay County | EF2 0.45 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $545K |
| 2021-03-18 | Bayou George, Bay County | EF1 0.37 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $54K |
| 2021-03-18 | Westbay, Bay County | EF0 3.94 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $109K |
| 2021-02-15 | Gulf Resort Beach, Bay County | EF0 1.31 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2020-04-23 | Southport, Bay County | EF0 0.9 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-04-23 | Edgewater Gulf Beach, Bay County | EF0 13.4 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $57K |
| 2019-01-19 | Tyndall Afb, Bay County | EF1 0.8 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $23K |
| 2018-12-01 | Vicksburg, Bay County | EF0 2.4 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-04-15 | Allanton, Bay County | EF0 1.13 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2014-11-17 | Laird, Bay County | EF0 0.01 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2012-03-30 | Vicksburg, Bay County | EF0 0.17 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-09-04 | Vicksburg, Bay County | EF0 1.05 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-10-08 | West Panama City, Bay County | EF0 3.46 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | $685K |
| 2006-10-27 | Hollywood Beach, Bay County | F0 0.75 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $7K |
| 2006-10-22 | Bayou George, Bay County | F0 0.25 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $110K |
| 2005-12-24 | Panama City Arp, Bay County | F0 2.7 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $982K |
| 2004-11-24 | Panama City Beach, Bay County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $16K |
| 2004-09-15 | Panama City, Bay County | F1 5 mi x 200 yd | 1 | 7 | $7.8M |
| 2004-09-15 | Allanton, Bay County | F1 5 mi x 200 yd | 1 | 1 | $781K |
| 2004-09-15 | Calloway, Bay County | F1 6 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $3.1M |
| 2004-09-15 | Youngstown, Bay County | F0 7 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $23K |
| 2004-06-02 | Panama City Beach, Bay County | F0 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $16K |
| 2003-02-16 | Tyndall Afb, Bay County | F1 0.2 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $401K |
| 1999-01-02 | Panama City Beach, Bay County | F2 3.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 7 | $7.1M |
| 1998-09-29 | Westbay, Bay County | F1 3 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 1 | $226K |
| 1998-09-28 | Bid A Wee, Bay County | F1 2 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $453K |
| 1997-10-26 | Hiland Park, Bay County | F0 1 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $37K |
| 1997-10-26 | Panama City, Bay County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1997-10-24 | Panama City Beach, Bay County | F1 1 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 1 | $643K |
| 1997-10-24 | Calloway, Bay County | F1 0.5 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 2 | $64K |
| 1996-03-07 | Laguna Beach, Bay County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1994-06-25 | Panama City Beach, Bay County | 0 | 0 | $995K | |
| 1992-06-03 | Bay County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1991-01-30 | Bay County | F0 0.4 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1989-06-08 | Bay County | F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1988-11-05 | Bay County | F1 1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1988-10-03 | Bay County | F0 1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1988-09-10 | Bay County | F0 1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1985-03-17 | Bay County | F1 0.5 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 1 | $250K step |
| 1985-01-17 | Bay County | F0 1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1984-03-25 | Bay County | F0 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1983-12-14 | Bay County | F1 1.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1983-08-03 | Bay County | F1 0.3 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1983-01-29 | Bay County | F1 0.7 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1982-11-03 | Bay County | F1 0.4 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1982-07-29 | Bay County | F1 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1982-07-28 | Bay County | F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Bay County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 16, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-16 | Thunderstorm WindDirego Park, Bay County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-06-16 | Thunderstorm WindVicksburg, Bay County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-16 | Thunderstorm WindVicksburg, Bay County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-06-16 | Thunderstorm WindDirego Park, Bay County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-06-16 | Thunderstorm WindPanama City, Bay County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-07 | Rip CurrentBay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtBay County · forecast zone Inland Bay | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtBay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtBay County · forecast zone Inland Bay | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtBay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-12 | Thunderstorm WindLynn Haven, Bay County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-12 | Thunderstorm WindSeminole Hills, Bay County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-10-10 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Bay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay Hurricane Michael started as typical weak October Caribbean tropical system. However, after approximately a week of slow development, the system moved into warm Gulf of Mexico waters and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved north towards the Florida Panhandle. After a 2-day long intensification ... | 21 | 0 | $7.1B | |
| 2018-10-10 | Storm Surge/TideBay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay Hurricane Michael started as typical weak October Caribbean tropical system. However, after approximately a week of slow development, the system moved into warm Gulf of Mexico waters and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved north towards the Florida Panhandle. After a 2-day long intensification ... | 4 | 0 | $823M | |
| 2024-06-21 | Rip CurrentBay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay On June 21, three males visiting from Alabama got caught in a rip current and all drowned. Two of them were age 24 and one was age 25. Single red beach flags were flying at the time and a rip current statement was in effect. The men were seen in distress behind Watercress Condominiums at 6201 Thomas Drive at 8:11 pm ... | 3 | 0 | – | |
| 2023-06-24 | Rip CurrentBay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay The Panama City Beach Police Department reports three separate fatal water incidents behind three different resorts on Front Beach Road. Officers arrived on scene at the first incident at 12:04 p.m. to find PCB Beach Safety lifeguards actively rescuing a female from the Gulf of Mexico behind Days Inn located at 12818 ... | 3 | 0 | – | |
| 2004-09-15 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Bay County · forecast zone Bay Hurricane Ivan made landfall near Gulf Shores, AL, during the predawn hours of September 16. Maximum sustained winds reached 50 knots, with gusts to 62 knots at Buoy 42039, 80 miles south of Panama City, FL. The lowest sea-level pressure was 999.6 mb at Panama City. Rainfall totals ranged from 9.26 inches at Mossy ... | 2 | 8 | $39M | |
| 2024-06-23 | Rip CurrentBay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay A 29-year-old male visiting entered the water behind Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant and drowned in a rip current. In addition, a 60-year-old woman visiting from Missouri entered the water off Carillon Beach and drowned in a rip current. Single red beach flags were flying at the time for both cases. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-09-18 | Rip CurrentBay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay The Bay County Sheriff's Office responded to 19947 Front Beach Road at approximately 6:30 pm CDT in reference to two missing swimmers. A 28 year old male and a 9 year old male were found deceased in the surf. Single red flags were flying and a rip current statement was in effect. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2019-06-23 | Rip CurrentBay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay Panama City Beach police and Beach fire rescue arrived at the beach near Crane street and Front beach road in response to a distressed swimmer. The swimmer was pulled from the water shortly after 2 o'clock and later died. He was a 59 year old male from West Virginia. A 41 year old male from West Virginia was also ... | 2 | 0 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-10-10 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Bay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay | 21 | 0 | $7.1B | |
| 2018-10-10 | Storm Surge/TideBay County · forecast zone Coastal Bay | 4 | 0 | $823M | |
| 2018-10-10 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Bay County · forecast zone Inland Bay | 0 | 0 | $411M | |
| 2004-09-15 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Bay County · forecast zone Bay | 2 | 8 | $39M | |
| 2024-01-09 | TornadoBiltmore Beach, Bay County | EF3 5.2 mi x 550 yd | 0 | 0 | $14M |
| 1998-09-28 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Bay County · forecast zone Bay | 0 | 1 | $14M | |
| 2005-07-10 | Storm Surge/TideBay County · forecast zone Bay | 0 | 0 | $11M | |
| 2004-09-15 | TornadoPanama City, Bay County | F1 5 mi x 200 yd | 1 | 7 | $7.8M |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: December 10, 1967 (tornado, Bay County, 1 killed); April 26, 1973 (tornado, Bay County); January 29, 1983 (tornado, Bay County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Bay County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 1 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 16 | 27 | 89 | 119 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 9 | 54 | 115 |
| Tornadoes | 8 | 6 | 13 | 18 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 19 |
| Hail | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 17 | 17 |
| Rip currents and high surf | – | – | – | – | 0 | 21 | 31 | 14 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 40 | 26 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Bay County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 63 · Feb 58 · Mar 67 · Apr 97 · May 53 · Jun 119 · Jul 87 · Aug 108 · Sep 92 · Oct 77 · Nov 30 · Dec 37 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Bay County
FEMA's register lists 49 declarations that include Bay County: 31 major disasters, 15 emergencies and 3 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (26) and severe storm (8).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-28 | DR-4828 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 2024-09-24 | EM-3615 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 2024-08-10 | DR-4806 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| 2024-08-03 | EM-3605 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 2023-08-31 | DR-4734 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| 2023-08-28 | EM-3596 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Idalia |
| 2022-09-29 | DR-4673 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| 2022-09-24 | EM-3584 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Ian |
| 2022-03-06 | FM-5426 | Fire | Chipola Fire Complex |
| 2022-03-04 | FM-5424 | Fire | 1707 Adkins Ave Fire |
| 2021-08-16 | EM-3562 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Fred |
| 2020-09-23 | DR-4564 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| 2020-09-15 | EM-3546 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| 2020-03-25 | DR-4486 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3432 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-08-30 | EM-3419 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| 2018-10-11 | DR-4399 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| 2018-10-09 | EM-3405 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| 2017-09-10 | DR-4337 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2017-09-05 | EM-3385 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| 2014-05-06 | DR-4177 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2013-08-02 | DR-4138 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2012-10-18 | DR-4084 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaac |
| 2009-04-21 | DR-1831 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2008-10-27 | DR-1806 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
| 2008-08-21 | EM-3288 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Fay |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3220 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-08-28 | DR-1602 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 2005-07-10 | DR-1595 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dennis |
| 2004-09-16 | DR-1551 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ivan |
| 2004-09-04 | DR-1545 | Hurricane | Hurricane Frances |
| 2004-08-13 | DR-1539 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley |
| 2001-06-17 | DR-1381 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Allison |
| 2000-10-03 | DR-1344 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 1999-04-27 | EM-3139 | Fire | Fl-Fires 04/15/99 |
| 1999-04-17 | FM-2255 | Fire | Fl-Fires 04/13/99 |
| 1998-09-28 | DR-1249 | Hurricane | Hurricane Georges |
| 1998-09-25 | EM-3131 | Hurricane | Hurricane Grorges |
| 1998-09-04 | DR-1241 | Hurricane | Hurricane Earl |
| 1998-06-18 | DR-1223 | Fire | Extreme Fire Hazard |
The 40 most recent of 49 are listed; the CSV has every one.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Bay County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 181 flood or flash flood records for Bay County from 1998 to 2025, on 67 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Bay County ranks 60th of 2,942 U.S. counties. The 100 counties with the most claims
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Michael | 2018-10-10 | 3 | 25 |
| Hurricane Dennis | 2005-07-09 | 4 | 2 |
| Hurricane Frances | 2004-09-15 | 1 | 2 |
| Hurricane Earl | 1998-09-02 | 1 | 2 |
| Tropical Storm Fred | 2021-08-16 | 2 | 1 |
| Tropical Storm Fay | 2008-08-22 | 1 | 1 |
| Hurricane Sally | 2020-09-16 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Katrina | 2005-08-28 | 2 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ivan | 2004-09-15 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Georges | 1998-09-28 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $338 million on 9,005 claims filed in Bay County; the most in one year was 3,026 in 1995. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 11 · 1979: 24 · 1980: 5 · 1981: 2 · 1982: 18 · 1983: 26 · 1984: 45 · 1985: 255 · 1986: 2 · 1987: 8 · 1988: 18 · 1989: 1 · 1990: 1 · 1991: 103 · 1992: 10 · 1993: 7 · 1994: 24 · 1995: 3,026 · 1996: 16 · 1997: 14 · 1998: 698 · 1999: 76 · 2000: 13 · 2001: 17 · 2002: 11 · 2003: 27 · 2004: 344 · 2005: 528 · 2006: 3 · 2007: 5 · 2008: 169 · 2009: 33 · 2010: 19 · 2011: 7 · 2012: 32 · 2013: 528 · 2014: 33 · 2015: 12 · 2016: 33 · 2017: 12 · 2018: 2,185 · 2019: 23 · 2020: 347 · 2021: 178 · 2022: 15 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 19 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 5.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Bay County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Bay County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $158 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | Very High | $118M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Very High | $3.0M | 87 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively High | $11M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $2.1M | 6.7 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $3.6M | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Coastal Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $1.9M | 3.8 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $17M | 2 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $937K | about once a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Bay County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in FloridaEvery Florida tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in FloridaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Florida recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Bay CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Bay County's FEMA declarations (CSV)49 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis