Photo: Hoteltwo · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Crestview faces more hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crestview gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #484 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1998.
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 Crestview 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 Crestview’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crestview, and Crestview’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 26% (lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
D #484 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crestview’s residents live in 7 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, Crestview has more expected damage per building than 76% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.1M a year in losses across Crestview: $11.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crestview flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crestview, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $17K
- Hurricane Georges (Panhandle)1 claim · $26K
- Hurricane Sally1 claim · $9K
Crestview isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Okaloosa County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crestview
Disasters that paid out in Crestview itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crestview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian3 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Sally284 households applied for aid$333K aid approved$32K to the City of Crestview for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2018Hurricane Michael2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$44K to the City of Crestview for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding402 households applied for aid$376K aid approved$243K to the City of Crestview for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds47 households applied for aid$175K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis509 households applied for aid$233K aid approved$18K to the City of Crestview for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Ivan3,028 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$1.3M to the City of Crestview for repairs
Okaloosa County has had 32 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.
Old photos of Crestview after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crestview archive →Get ready for what Crestview 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 Crestview
Is Crestview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crestview has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #484 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crestview flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Crestview since 1998, $177K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Crestview 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 Okaloosa County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crestview?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crestview’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 Crestview?
By FEMA money that reached Crestview, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 3,028 households applied for aid, $2.1M approved, and $1.3M to the City of Crestview for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $17K.
Is Crestview at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Crestview’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crestview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crestview’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.