PlainHazard

Holmes County, Florida

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 12059 · population 19,618 · 479 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 440 records for Holmes County, Florida from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 256 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (214 records). The deadliest single record is the June 25, 1972 tornado: 1 death and 2 injuries. FEMA has issued 39 declarations naming the county since 1975, 37 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
440on 256 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
16 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$43Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
21strongest EF2
FEMA declarations
39latest 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 Holmes County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 214 since 1971. 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.

Holmes County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 214 135 1971-2026 0 2 $1.1M 16 of 67
Floods 113 33 1998-2026 0 0 $27M 13 of 67
Drought 42 42 2010-2026 0 0 – 1 of 67
Tornadoes 21 21 1967-2025 1 4 $3.9M 42 of 67
Hurricanes and tropical storms 19 19 1998-2024 0 0 $9.7M 22 of 67
Hail 12 11 1971-2023 0 0 – 60 of 67
Heat 10 10 2023-2023 0 0 – 1 of 67
Winter storms 5 5 2010-2026 0 0 $749K 3 of 67
Extreme cold 3 3 2022-2026 0 0 $50K 27 of 67
Heavy rain 1 1 2012-2012 0 0 – 60 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 Holmes County had?

NOAA records 21 tornadoes in Holmes County from 1967 to 2025, the strongest rated EF2, with 1 death and 4 injuries recorded in the county. 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 21 tornadoes whose track touched Holmes County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 21, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Holmes County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1972-06-25 15:10, as SPC files itNomaF20.5 mi1

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Florida.

Every tornado record filed for Holmes County (21)
Every tornado recorded in Holmes County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2025-05-10 Gritney, Holmes County EF2 13.8 mi x 600 yd 0 1 $100K
2024-01-09 Ponce De Leon, Holmes County EF0 0.96 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $71K
2023-12-10 Gritney, Holmes County EF1 2.97 mi x 250 yd 0 0 –
2022-10-25 Bonifay, Holmes County EF0 1.12 mi x 70 yd 0 0 $20K
2020-04-23 Ponce De Leon, Holmes County EF1 4.19 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $114K
2018-02-11 Gritney, Holmes County EF1 4.78 mi x 100 yd 0 1 $294K
2012-08-29 Cobb Crossroads, Holmes County EF0 0.27 mi x 25 yd 0 0 $13K
2005-04-26 Bonifay, Holmes County F1 1.1 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $529K
2004-09-15 Bonifay, Holmes County F1 4 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $391K
2004-04-29 Westville, Holmes County F0 0.5 mi x 75 yd 0 0 $156K
2002-11-05 Ponce De Leon, Holmes County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $25K
2002-09-25 Tendil Crossing, Holmes County F0 0.2 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $164K
2000-12-16 Bonifay, Holmes County F2 3 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $1.3M
1995-12-07 Esto, Holmes County F1 0.2 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $145K
1995-10-04 Ponce Deleon, Holmes County F1 12 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $29K
1989-11-08 Holmes County F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $25K step
1975-02-17 Holmes County F1 0.1 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $25K step
1975-01-10 Holmes County F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $25K step
1972-06-25 Holmes County F2 0.5 mi x 27 yd 1 2 $3K step
1968-03-22 Holmes County 0 0 $250 step
1967-12-10 Holmes County F2 9.9 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $25K 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 Holmes County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the January 25, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($5,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Holmes County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-20 FloodBethlehem, Holmes County 0 0 –
2026-05-25 Thunderstorm WindNew Hope, Holmes County 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-05-07 Thunderstorm WindBonifay, Holmes County 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-05-07 Thunderstorm WindBethlehem, Holmes County 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-05-07 Thunderstorm WindPittman, Holmes County 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-05-01 DroughtHolmes County · forecast zone Holmes 0 0 –
2026-04-01 DroughtHolmes County · forecast zone Holmes 0 0 –
2026-03-12 Thunderstorm WindArds Crossroads, Holmes County 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-03-01 DroughtHolmes County · forecast zone Holmes 0 0 –
2026-02-01 DroughtHolmes County · forecast zone Holmes 0 0 –
2026-02-01 Extreme Cold/Wind ChillHolmes County · forecast zone Holmes 0 0 –
2026-01-25 Heavy SnowHolmes County · forecast zone Holmes 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

Records with deaths or injuries in Holmes County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1972-06-25 TornadoHolmes County F2 0.5 mi x 27 yd 1 2 $3K step
1996-04-29 Thunderstorm WindBonifay, Holmes County Power lines and trees were reported down. A few homes were damaged. Two people in a car were reported to be injured near Bonifay. 0 2 $9K
2025-05-10 TornadoGritney, Holmes County This tornado began southwest of Bodie Lane and southeast of Tobe Retherford where it uprooted hardwood trees and snapped large limbs. This tornado increased in strength when it reached the intersection of Newberry Lane and Highway 177A as it caused numerous tree trunks to snap along with the tops of softwood trees; ... EF2 13.8 mi x 600 yd 0 1 $100K
2018-02-11 TornadoGritney, Holmes County A tornado touched down in Holmes county and tracked through the south central part of the county north of Caryville and northwest of Bonifay. Two barns were destroyed and one brick carport that was attached to a house was destroyed. The roof of this house was mostly gone. There was one minor injury. The tornado was ... EF1 4.78 mi x 100 yd 0 1 $294K

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.

The costliest records in Holmes County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2013-07-04 FloodRoyals Crossroads, Holmes County 0 0 $11M
2020-09-16 Flash FloodPonce De Leon, Holmes County 0 0 $9.7M
1998-09-28 Hurricane (Typhoon)Holmes County · forecast zone Holmes 0 0 $7.2M
1998-09-29 Flash FloodCountywide, Holmes County 0 0 $2.3M
2013-02-25 FloodRoyals Crossroads, Holmes County 0 0 $1.8M
2000-12-16 TornadoBonifay, Holmes County F2 3 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $1.3M
2014-04-30 FloodRoyals Crossroads, Holmes County 0 0 $1.2M
2005-07-09 Hurricane (Typhoon)Holmes County · forecast zone Holmes 0 0 $907K

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 $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: December 10, 1967 (tornado, Holmes County); January 10, 1975 (tornado, Holmes County); February 17, 1975 (tornado, Holmes 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 Holmes 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).

Holmes County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind001217286997
Floods––––257333
Drought––––002715
Tornadoes02312625
Hurricanes and tropical storms––––2953
Hail00104511

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 Holmes County. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 63 · Feb 34 · Mar 26 · Apr 67 · May 30 · Jun 44 · Jul 41 · Aug 33 · Sep 41 · Oct 13 · Nov 25 · Dec 23 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Holmes County

FEMA's register lists 39 declarations that include Holmes County: 24 major disasters, 14 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for hurricane (20) and severe storm (7).

Declarations including Holmes County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2024-09-28DR-4828HurricaneHurricane Helene
2024-09-24EM-3615Tropical StormTropical Storm Helene
2024-08-10DR-4806Tropical StormHurricane Debby
2024-08-03EM-3605Tropical StormTropical Storm Debby
2022-12-13DR-4680HurricaneHurricane Nicole
2022-09-29DR-4673HurricaneHurricane Ian
2022-09-24EM-3584HurricaneTropical Storm Ian
2021-08-16EM-3562HurricaneTropical Storm Fred
2020-09-23DR-4564HurricaneHurricane Sally
2020-09-15EM-3546HurricaneHurricane Sally
2020-03-25DR-4486BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3432BiologicalCovid-19
2019-08-30EM-3419HurricaneHurricane Dorian
2018-10-11DR-4399HurricaneHurricane Michael
2018-10-09EM-3405HurricaneHurricane Michael
2017-09-10DR-4337HurricaneHurricane Irma
2017-09-05EM-3385HurricaneHurricane Irma
2014-05-06DR-4177Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2013-08-02DR-4138Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2009-04-21DR-1831Severe StormSevere Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds
2008-08-21EM-3288Severe StormTropical Storm Fay
2005-09-05EM-3220HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2005-07-10DR-1595HurricaneHurricane Dennis
2004-09-16DR-1551HurricaneHurricane Ivan
2004-09-04DR-1545HurricaneHurricane Frances
2004-08-13DR-1539HurricaneTropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley
2001-06-17DR-1381Severe StormTropical Storm Allison
1999-04-27EM-3139FireFl-Fires 04/15/99
1999-04-17FM-2255FireFl-Fires 04/13/99
1998-09-28DR-1249HurricaneHurricane Georges
1998-09-25EM-3131HurricaneHurricane Grorges
1998-06-18DR-1223FireExtreme Fire Hazard
1998-01-06DR-1195Severe StormSevere Storms, High Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
1995-10-04DR-1069HurricaneHurricane Opal
1994-07-10DR-1035Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding (Tropical Storm Alberto)
1994-07-08EM-3114FloodTropical Storm Alberto
1990-04-03DR-862FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1975-09-26DR-484FloodHigh Winds, Heavy Rains & Flooding
1975-08-22DR-479FloodFlooding

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 Holmes County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 113 flood or flash flood records for Holmes County from 1998 to 2026, on 33 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Holmes County ranks 1040th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

Named storms on Holmes County's flood and tropical record
StormBeganRecordsDeaths in the county
Hurricane Sally2020-09-1610
Hurricane Michael2018-10-1010
Hurricane Dennis2005-07-0910
Hurricane Frances2004-09-1510
Hurricane Georges1998-09-2820

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.8 million on 165 claims filed in Holmes County; the most in one year was 60 in 1998. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1978: 1 · 1990: 6 · 1991: 2 · 1994: 54 · 1995: 3 · 1996: 4 · 1998: 60 · 2001: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 2 · 2009: 10 · 2015: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2020: 17 · 2021: 1; the other years: 0.

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 Holmes County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Holmes County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $14.2 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Holmes County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
HurricaneRelatively Moderate$9.0Monce in about 5 years (modeled)
LightningRelatively Moderate$318K78 a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Low$1.2Monce in about 2 years (modeled)
DroughtRelatively Low$89K25 modeled event-days a year
Heat WaveRelatively Low$227K5.8 modeled event-days a year
Cold WaveRelatively Low$339K2.1 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Low$157K1.7 a year (modeled)
WildfireVery Low$15Konce in about 1,295 years (modeled)

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.

Counties that share a border with Holmes County

  1. Walton County 829
  2. Jackson County 731
  3. Geneva County, AL 526
  4. Holmes County 440
  5. Washington County 433

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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