Photo: Organizedchaos02 at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Bunnell’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bunnell gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #278 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (54%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Bunnell 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 Bunnell’s grade
Hurricanes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bunnell, and Bunnell’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #278 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bunnell’s residents live in 3 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, Bunnell has less expected damage per building than 57% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Bunnell: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bunnell flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bunnell, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton3 claims · $40K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $38K
- Tropical Storm Isidore1 claim · $3K
Bunnell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Flagler County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bunnell
Disasters that paid out in Bunnell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bunnell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton745 households applied for aid$908K aid approved$113K to the City of Bunnell for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $40K
- 2022Hurricane Nicole43 households applied for aid$83K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian654 households applied for aid$622K aid approved$44K to the City of Bunnell for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,204 households applied for aid$816K aid approved$47K to the City of Bunnell for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $15K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew429 households applied for aid$112K aid approved$169K to the City of Bunnell for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$77K to the City of Bunnell for repairs
Show all 13
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$15K to the City of Bunnell for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne183 households applied for aid$347K aid approved$19K to the City of Bunnell for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan21 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances628 households applied for aid$563K aid approved$51K to the City of Bunnell for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $49K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley113 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$7K to the City of Bunnell for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle$13K to the City of Bunnell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$6K to the City of Bunnell for repairs
Flagler County has had 24 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 Flagler County, 2000–2007.
Old photos of Bunnell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bunnell archive →Bunnell and its neighbors
Bunnell has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bunnell | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 11 |
| Palm Coast | C−more damage than 82% | hurricanes | 49 |
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 Bunnell 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 Bunnell
Is Bunnell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bunnell has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #278 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (54%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bunnell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Bunnell since 1994, $244K in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (3).
Is Bunnell 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 Flagler County, 15.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bunnell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bunnell’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 Bunnell?
By FEMA money that reached Bunnell, Hurricane Milton (2024): 745 households applied for aid, $908K approved, and $113K to the City of Bunnell for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 3 paid, $40K.
Is Bunnell at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Bunnell’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bunnell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bunnell’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.