Photo: j.s. clark/ "Image by jsclark.net." · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Panama City Beach than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Panama City Beach gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #598 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (89%). Flood insurance has paid 1,267 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 Panama City Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Panama City Beach 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 Panama City Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Panama City Beach, and Panama City Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 8% (lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #598 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Panama City Beach’s residents live in 10 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, Panama City Beach has more expected damage per building than 94% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.5M a year in losses across Panama City Beach: $17.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Panama City Beach flood? Yes: 1,267 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Panama City Beach, from FEMA’s records: 59.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Opal553 claims · $51.8M
- Hurricane Earl71 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Georges (Panhandle)50 claims · $944K
Panama City Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bay County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Panama City Beach
Disasters that paid out in Panama City Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Panama City Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally154 households applied for aid$121K aid approved13 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 2018Hurricane Michael4,296 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$2.4M to the City of Panama City Beach for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma2 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis142 households applied for aid$89K aid approved$9.0M to the City of Panama City Beach for repairs30 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan520 households applied for aid$368K aid approved$259K to the City of Panama City Beach for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $1.7M
Show all 7
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$8K to the City of Panama City Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Panama City Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Panama City Beach archive →Panama City Beach and its neighbors
Panama City Beach is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Grand Lagoon | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 322 |
| Panama City Beach | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,267 |
| Laguna Beach | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 28 |
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 Panama City Beach 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.
- Panama City Beach residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Panama City Beach
Is Panama City Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Panama City Beach has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #598 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (89%) and river and rain flooding (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Panama City Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,267 claims in Panama City Beach since 1978, $70.6M in all, or 59.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 133 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Opal (553).
Is Panama City Beach 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 Panama City Beach?
Panama City Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Panama City Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Panama City Beach, Hurricane Dennis (2005): 142 households applied for aid, $89K approved, and $9.0M to the City of Panama City Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Opal: 553 paid, $51.8M.
Is Panama City Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Panama City Beach’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Panama City Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Panama City Beach’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.