Photo: The Bushranger · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Callaway’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Callaway gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #599 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (80%), then river and rain flooding (15%). Flood insurance has paid 257 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 Callaway’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Callaway 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 Callaway’s grade
Hurricanes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Callaway, and Callaway’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #599 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Callaway’s residents live in 6 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, Callaway has more expected damage per building than 94% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across Callaway: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Callaway flood? Yes: 257 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Callaway, from FEMA’s records: 41.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Opal86 claims · $3.4M
- Hurricane Dennis43 claims · $1.3M
- Hurricane Michael37 claims · $1.4M
Callaway is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bay County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Callaway
Disasters that paid out in Callaway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Callaway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael431 households applied for aid$802K aid approved$26.1M to the City of Callaway for repairs37 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$1.6M to the City of Callaway for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$30K to the City of Callaway for repairs43 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$44K to the City of Callaway for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $356K
Bay County has had 36 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bay County, 1999–2022.
Old photos of Callaway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Callaway archive →Callaway and its neighbors
Callaway is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parker | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 82 |
| Springfield | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 89 |
| Callaway | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 257 |
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 Callaway 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.
- Callaway residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Callaway
Is Callaway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Callaway has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #599 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (80%) and river and rain flooding (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Callaway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 257 claims in Callaway since 1978, $8.5M in all, or 41.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 38 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Opal (86).
Is Callaway 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 Bay County, 67% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 17.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Callaway?
Callaway is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Callaway?
By FEMA money that reached Callaway, Hurricane Michael (2018): 431 households applied for aid, $802K approved, and $26.1M to the City of Callaway for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Opal: 86 paid, $3.4M.
Is Callaway at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Callaway’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Callaway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Callaway’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.