Sapp House · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Panama City’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Panama City gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #583 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (87%). Flood insurance has paid 846 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’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Panama City 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’s grade
Hurricanes are 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Panama City, and Panama City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 9% (lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #583 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Panama City’s residents live in 16 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 has more expected damage per building than 91% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $35.4M a year in losses across Panama City: $30.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Panama City flood? Yes: 846 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Panama City, from FEMA’s records: 49.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Opal278 claims · $10.0M
- Hurricane Michael208 claims · $8.4M
- Hurricane Sally58 claims · $2.5M
Panama City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bay County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Panama City
Disasters that paid out in Panama City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Panama City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene$60K to the City of Panama City for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian2 households applied for aid$700 aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Sally824 households applied for aid$960K aid approved$1.7M to the City of Panama City for repairs58 flood claims paid for it, $2.5M
- 2018Hurricane Michael40,420 households applied for aid$77.3M aid approved$151M to the City of Panama City for repairs208 flood claims paid for it, $8.4M
- 2017Hurricane Irma6 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$138K to the City of Panama City for repairs43 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$12K to the City of Panama City for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis481 households applied for aid$204K aid approved$684K to the City of Panama City for repairs38 flood claims paid for it, $916K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1,771 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$1.3M to the City of Panama City for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $426K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1 households applied for aid$14K to the City of Panama City for repairs
- 2000Tropical Storm Helene$26K to the City of Panama City for repairs4 flood claims 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Panama City archive →Panama City and its neighbors
Panama City is 2nd of the 5 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 |
| Springfield | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 89 |
| Lynn Haven | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 625 |
| Pretty Bayou | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | — |
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 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 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
Is Panama City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Panama City has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #583 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (87%) and river and rain flooding (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Panama City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 846 claims in Panama City since 1978, $27.3M in all, or 49.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 101 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Opal (278).
Is Panama City 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?
Panama City 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?
By FEMA money that reached Panama City, Hurricane Michael (2018): 40,420 households applied for aid, $77.3M approved, and $151M to the City of Panama City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Opal: 278 paid, $10.0M.
Is Panama City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Panama City’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.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Panama City’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.