Photo: User:Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Bonifay’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bonifay 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 (77%), then river and rain flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1994.
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 Bonifay’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bonifay 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 Bonifay’s grade
Hurricanes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bonifay, and Bonifay’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 18% (lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
D #568 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bonifay’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, Bonifay has more expected damage per building than 89% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Bonifay: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bonifay flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bonifay, from FEMA’s records: 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sally3 claims · $99K
- Tropical Storm Alberto2 claims · $21K
- Hurricane Ivan1 claim · $30K
Bonifay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Holmes County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bonifay
Disasters that paid out in Bonifay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bonifay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene$52K to the City of Bonifay for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael945 households applied for aid$409K aid approved$193K to the City of Bonifay for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$88K to the City of Bonifay for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds44 households applied for aid$106K aid approved$70K to the City of Bonifay for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$57K to the City of Bonifay for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan384 households applied for aid$627K aid approved$56K to the City of Bonifay for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $30K
Show all 7
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$110K to the City of Bonifay for repairs
Holmes County has had 29 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 Holmes County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Bonifay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bonifay archive →Get ready for what Bonifay 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 Bonifay
Is Bonifay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bonifay 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 (77%) and river and rain flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bonifay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Bonifay since 1994, $234K in all, or 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sally (3).
Is Bonifay 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 Holmes County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bonifay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bonifay’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 Bonifay?
By FEMA money that reached Bonifay, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 384 households applied for aid, $627K approved, and $56K to the City of Bonifay for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sally: 3 paid, $99K.
Is Bonifay at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Bonifay’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bonifay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bonifay’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.