Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Gulf Breeze than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gulf Breeze gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #413 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (80%), then river and rain flooding (12%). Flood insurance has paid 538 claims here since 1978.
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 Gulf Breeze’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gulf Breeze 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 Gulf Breeze’s grade
Hurricanes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gulf Breeze, and Gulf Breeze’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #413 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gulf Breeze’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Gulf Breeze has more expected damage per building than 65% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Gulf Breeze: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gulf Breeze flood? Yes: 538 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gulf Breeze, from FEMA’s records: 169.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ivan204 claims · $20.2M
- The Mid-spring storms88 claims · $7.3M
- Hurricane Opal51 claims · $826K
Gulf Breeze is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Santa Rosa County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gulf Breeze
Disasters that paid out in Gulf Breeze itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gulf Breeze), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally1,066 households applied for aid$635K aid approved$3.5M to the City of Gulf Breeze for repairs38 flood claims paid for it, $800K
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding893 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$1.2M to the City of Gulf Breeze for repairs90 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$13K to the City of Gulf Breeze for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds2 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$119K to the City of Gulf Breeze for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis2,765 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Gulf Breeze for repairs41 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Ivan7,530 households applied for aid$12.3M aid approved$24.3M to the City of Gulf Breeze for repairs204 flood claims paid for it, $20.2M
Santa Rosa County has had 34 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 Santa Rosa County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Gulf Breeze after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gulf Breeze archive →Gulf Breeze and its neighbors
Gulf Breeze has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Breeze | Dmore damage than 88% | hurricanes | 538 |
| Midway | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 1,406 |
| Oriole Beach | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 1,023 |
| Pensacola | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 923 |
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 Gulf Breeze 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.
- Gulf Breeze 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 Gulf Breeze
Is Gulf Breeze at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gulf Breeze has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #413 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (80%) and river and rain flooding (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gulf Breeze flood?
Flood insurance has paid 538 claims in Gulf Breeze since 1978, $34.7M in all, or 169.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 61 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ivan (204).
Is Gulf Breeze 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 Santa Rosa County, 67% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gulf Breeze?
Gulf Breeze 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 Gulf Breeze?
By FEMA money that reached Gulf Breeze, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 7,530 households applied for aid, $12.3M approved, and $24.3M to the City of Gulf Breeze for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ivan: 204 paid, $20.2M.
Is Gulf Breeze at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Gulf Breeze’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gulf Breeze.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gulf Breeze’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.