Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Lynn Haven than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynn Haven gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #592 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (81%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 625 claims here since 1985.
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 Lynn Haven’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lynn Haven 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 Lynn Haven’s grade
Hurricanes are 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lynn Haven, and Lynn Haven’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #592 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lynn Haven’s residents live in 9 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, Lynn Haven has more expected damage per building than 93% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.1M a year in losses across Lynn Haven: $12.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lynn Haven flood? Yes: 625 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lynn Haven, from FEMA’s records: 70.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Opal206 claims · $7.1M
- Hurricane Michael167 claims · $6.9M
- Hurricane Dennis73 claims · $2.6M
Lynn Haven is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bay County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lynn Haven
Disasters that paid out in Lynn Haven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lynn Haven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally137 households applied for aid$244K aid approved32 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
- 2018Hurricane Michael7,134 households applied for aid$7.5M aid approved$44.6M to the City of Lynn Haven for repairs167 flood claims paid for it, $6.9M
- 2017Hurricane Irma1 households applied for aid$16K to the City of Lynn Haven for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$36K to the City of Lynn Haven for repairs49 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis110 households applied for aid$100K aid approved$52K to the City of Lynn Haven for repairs73 flood claims paid for it, $2.6M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan159 households applied for aid$85K aid approved$207K to the City of Lynn Haven for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $358K
Bay County has had 36 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 Bay County, 1999–2022.
Old photos of Lynn Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lynn Haven archive →Lynn Haven and its neighbors
Lynn Haven is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Grove | Dmore damage than 95% | hurricanes | 156 |
| Panama City | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 846 |
| Lynn Haven | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 625 |
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 Lynn Haven 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.
- Lynn Haven residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lynn Haven
Is Lynn Haven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynn Haven has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #592 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (81%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lynn Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 625 claims in Lynn Haven since 1985, $22.1M in all, or 70.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 103 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Opal (206).
Is Lynn Haven 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 Bay County, 67% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 17.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lynn Haven?
Lynn Haven is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Lynn Haven?
By FEMA money that reached Lynn Haven, Hurricane Michael (2018): 7,134 households applied for aid, $7.5M approved, and $44.6M to the City of Lynn Haven for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Opal: 206 paid, $7.1M.
Is Lynn Haven at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Lynn Haven’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lynn Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lynn Haven’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.