Photo: Destin Vacation Boat Rentals · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Destin than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Destin gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #434 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (82%), then river and rain flooding (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1,204 claims here since 1991.
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 Destin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Destin 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 Destin’s grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Destin, and Destin’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #434 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Destin’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, Destin has more expected damage per building than 68% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.2M a year in losses across Destin: $10.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Destin flood? Yes: 1,204 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Destin, from FEMA’s records: 88.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ivan407 claims · $23.4M
- Hurricane Opal375 claims · $25.7M
- Hurricane Dennis225 claims · $10.2M
Destin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Okaloosa County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Destin
Disasters that paid out in Destin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Destin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally157 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$130K to the City of Destin for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Michael2 households applied for aid$301K to the City of Destin for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding131 households applied for aid$217K aid approved$126K to the City of Destin for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$352K to the City of Destin for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$67K to the City of Destin for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$268K to the City of Destin for repairs24 flood claims paid for it, $581K
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Dennis355 households applied for aid$190K aid approved$472K to the City of Destin for repairs225 flood claims paid for it, $10.2M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1,014 households applied for aid$588K aid approved$1.9M to the City of Destin for repairs407 flood claims paid for it, $23.4M
- 2000Tropical Storm Helene$3K to the City of Destin 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 Destin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Destin archive →Destin and its neighbors
Destin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destin | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 1,204 |
| Miramar Beach | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 71 |
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 Destin 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.
- Destin residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Destin
Is Destin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Destin has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #434 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (82%) and river and rain flooding (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Destin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,204 claims in Destin since 1991, $64.8M in all, or 88.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 230 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ivan (407).
Is Destin 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 Destin?
Destin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Destin?
By FEMA money that reached Destin, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 1,014 households applied for aid, $588K approved, and $1.9M to the City of Destin for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ivan: 407 paid, $23.4M.
Is Destin at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Destin’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Destin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Destin’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.