Photo: Thomsonmg2000 · Public domainFEMA puts Apalachicola’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apalachicola gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 70 claims here since 1985.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Apalachicola’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Apalachicola faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Coastal flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Apalachicola’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Apalachicola, and Apalachicola’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Apalachicola’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Apalachicola: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Apalachicola flood? Sometimes: 70 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Apalachicola, from FEMA’s records: 41.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Michael27 claims · $3.0M
- Hurricane Dennis15 claims · $438K
- Hurricane Opal9 claims · $54K
Apalachicola isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Apalachicola
Disasters that paid out in Apalachicola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Apalachicola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene147 households applied for aid$46K aid approved$76K to the City of Apalachicola for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian1 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Sally$88K to the City of Apalachicola for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Michael594 households applied for aid$512K aid approved$987K to the City of Apalachicola for repairs27 flood claims paid for it, $3.0M
- 2016Hurricane Hermine$15K to the City of Apalachicola for repairs
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby188 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$369K to the City of Apalachicola for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Dennis181 households applied for aid$87K aid approved$3.5M to the City of Apalachicola for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $438K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan62 households applied for aid$316K aid approved
- 2000Tropical Storm Helene$2K to the City of Apalachicola for repairs
Franklin County has had 36 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Apalachicola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Apalachicola archive →Get ready for what Apalachicola faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Apalachicola
Is Apalachicola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apalachicola has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Apalachicola flood?
Flood insurance has paid 70 claims in Apalachicola since 1985, $3.8M in all, or 41.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Michael (27).
Is Apalachicola in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Franklin County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 25.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Apalachicola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Apalachicola’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Apalachicola?
By FEMA money that reached Apalachicola, Hurricane Dennis (2005): 181 households applied for aid, $87K approved, and $3.5M to the City of Apalachicola for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Michael: 27 paid, $3.0M.
Is Apalachicola at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Apalachicola’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Apalachicola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Apalachicola’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.