Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Blountstown faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blountstown gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1990.
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 Blountstown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Blountstown 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 Blountstown’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blountstown, and Blountstown’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 34% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blountstown’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Blountstown: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blountstown flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blountstown, from FEMA’s records: 21.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto12 claims · $256K
- Hurricane Ivan1 claim · $6K
Blountstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calhoun County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blountstown
Disasters that paid out in Blountstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Blountstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally$103K to the City of Blountstown for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael1,752 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$13.0M to the City of Blountstown for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$13K to the City of Blountstown for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds25 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$29K to the City of Blountstown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$13K to the City of Blountstown for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$15K to the City of Blountstown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Ivan99 households applied for aid$270K aid approved$38K to the City of Blountstown for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2004Hurricane Frances$8K to the City of Blountstown for repairs
Calhoun County has had 30 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Calhoun County, 1999–2022.
Old photos of Blountstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blountstown archive →Get ready for what Blountstown 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 Blountstown
Is Blountstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blountstown has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Blountstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Blountstown since 1990, $696K in all, or 21.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (12).
Is Blountstown 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 Calhoun County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Blountstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blountstown’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 Blountstown?
By FEMA money that reached Blountstown, Hurricane Michael (2018): 1,752 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved, and $13.0M to the City of Blountstown for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 12 paid, $256K.
Is Blountstown at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Blountstown’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blountstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blountstown’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.