Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Bagdad than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bagdad gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #568 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (57%), then river and rain flooding (37%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Bagdad 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
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 Bagdad’s grade
Hurricanes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bagdad, and Bagdad’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #568 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bagdad’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bagdad has more expected damage per building than 89% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Bagdad: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bagdad flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Bagdad. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Bagdad isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Santa Rosa County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bagdad
Disasters that paid out in Bagdad itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bagdad), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis98 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan139 households applied for aid$376K aid approved
Santa Rosa County has had 34 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Santa Rosa County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Bagdad after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bagdad archive →Get ready for what Bagdad 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.
- 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 Bagdad
Is Bagdad at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bagdad has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #568 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (57%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Bagdad 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 Santa Rosa County, 67% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bagdad?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bagdad’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 Bagdad?
By FEMA money that reached Bagdad, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 139 households applied for aid, $376K approved.
Is Bagdad at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Bagdad’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bagdad.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bagdad’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.