Photo: Skye Marthaler · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Freeport than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freeport gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #530 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Freeport 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 Freeport’s grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Freeport, and Freeport’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #530 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Freeport’s residents live in 3 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, Freeport has more expected damage per building than 83% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Freeport: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Freeport flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Freeport, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ivan5 claims · $207K
- Hurricane Georges (Panhandle)2 claims · $32K
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $150K
Freeport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Freeport
Disasters that paid out in Freeport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Freeport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally159 households applied for aid$119K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding72 households applied for aid$103K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds2 households applied for aid$8K to the City of Freeport for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis73 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan330 households applied for aid$718K aid approved$12K to the City of Freeport for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $207K
Walton County has had 30 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 Walton County, 2001–2020.
Old photos of Freeport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Freeport archive →Get ready for what Freeport 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 Freeport
Is Freeport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freeport has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #530 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Freeport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Freeport since 1998, $389K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ivan (5).
Is Freeport 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 Walton County, 70% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 20.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Freeport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Freeport’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 Freeport?
By FEMA money that reached Freeport, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 330 households applied for aid, $718K approved, and $12K to the City of Freeport for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ivan: 5 paid, $207K.
Is Freeport at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Freeport’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Freeport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Freeport’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.