FEMA puts Bellview’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellview gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #514 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 235 claims here since 1978.
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 Bellview’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bellview 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 Bellview’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bellview, and Bellview’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 32% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
D #514 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bellview’s residents live in 9 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, Bellview has more expected damage per building than 81% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.1M a year in losses across Bellview: $8.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bellview flood? Yes: 235 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bellview, from FEMA’s records: 20.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ivan68 claims · $5.1M
- Hurricane Sally61 claims · $5.5M
- The Mid-spring storms32 claims · $2.6M
Bellview isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Escambia County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bellview
Disasters that paid out in Bellview itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bellview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved61 flood claims paid for it, $5.5M
- 2005Hurricane Dennis1 households applied for aid$836 aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan8 households applied for aid$14K aid approved68 flood claims paid for it, $5.1M
Escambia County has had 31 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 Escambia County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Bellview after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bellview archive →Bellview and its neighbors
Bellview is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brent | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 99 |
| West Pensacola | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 132 |
| Myrtle Grove | Dmore damage than 91% | hurricanes | 271 |
| Bellview | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 235 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Bellview 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 Bellview
Is Bellview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellview has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #514 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bellview flood?
Flood insurance has paid 235 claims in Bellview since 1978, $14.6M in all, or 20.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ivan (68).
Is Bellview 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 Escambia County, 62% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bellview?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bellview’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 Bellview?
By FEMA money that reached Bellview, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 8 households applied for aid, $14K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ivan: 68 paid, $5.1M.
Is Bellview at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Bellview’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bellview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bellview’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.