Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Chipley faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chipley gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #558 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (75%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 2002.
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 Chipley 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 Chipley’s grade
Hurricanes are 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chipley, and Chipley’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 21% (lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
D #558 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chipley’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, Chipley has more expected damage per building than 87% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Chipley: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chipley flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chipley, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sally4 claims · $304K
- Hurricane Michael1 claim · $468
Chipley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chipley
Disasters that paid out in Chipley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chipley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally$709K to the City of Chipley for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $304K
- 2018Hurricane Michael2,366 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Chipley for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $468
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds27 households applied for aid$51K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$12K to the City of Chipley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan179 households applied for aid$264K aid approved$116K to the City of Chipley for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances$2K to the City of Chipley for repairs
Washington 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Chipley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chipley archive →Get ready for what Chipley 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 Chipley
Is Chipley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chipley has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #558 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (75%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chipley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Chipley since 2002, $373K in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sally (4).
Is Chipley 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 Washington County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chipley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chipley’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 Chipley?
By FEMA money that reached Chipley, Hurricane Michael (2018): 2,366 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $1.4M to the City of Chipley for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sally: 4 paid, $304K.
Is Chipley at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Chipley’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chipley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chipley’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.