On FEMA’s figures, Ferry Pass faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ferry Pass gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #444 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (78%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 107 claims here since 1979.
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 Ferry Pass’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ferry Pass 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 Ferry Pass’ grade
Hurricanes are 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ferry Pass, and Ferry Pass’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 19% (lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
D #444 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ferry Pass’ residents live in 14 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, Ferry Pass has more expected damage per building than 70% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.4M a year in losses across Ferry Pass: $15.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ferry Pass flood? Yes: 107 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ferry Pass, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sally47 claims · $1.8M
- The Mid-spring storms16 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Ivan8 claims · $526K
Ferry Pass isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Escambia County.The storms Ferry Pass remembers
None of the 31 disasters declared for Escambia County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Ferry Pass itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 202048 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Sally, declared for Escambia County
- 201416 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Escambia County
- 197914 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Frederic, declared for Escambia County
Escambia County has had 31 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Escambia County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Ferry Pass after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ferry Pass archive →Ferry Pass and its neighbors
Ferry Pass is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Ferry Pass 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 Ferry Pass
Is Ferry Pass at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ferry Pass has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #444 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (78%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ferry Pass flood?
Flood insurance has paid 107 claims in Ferry Pass since 1979, $4.9M in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sally (47).
Is Ferry Pass 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 Escambia County, 62% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ferry Pass?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ferry Pass’ 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 Ferry Pass?
By flood claims, Hurricane Sally: 47 paid, $1.8M.
Is Ferry Pass at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Ferry Pass’ rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ferry Pass.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ferry Pass’ 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.