On FEMA’s figures, Parker faces more hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parker gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #579 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (86%). Flood insurance has paid 82 claims here since 1987.
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 Parker’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Parker 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 Parker’s grade
Hurricanes are 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Parker, and Parker’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− #579 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Parker’s residents live in 2 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, Parker has more expected damage per building than 91% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Parker: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Parker flood? Sometimes: 82 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Parker, from FEMA’s records: 34.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Michael33 claims · $2.0M
- Hurricane Opal18 claims · $212K
- Hurricane Dennis3 claims · $7K
Parker isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bay County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Parker
Disasters that paid out in Parker itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Parker), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally$895K to the City of Parker for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael110 households applied for aid$213K aid approved$12.1M to the City of Parker for repairs33 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the City of Parker for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$4K to the City of Parker for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$17K to the City of Parker for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$25K to the City of Parker for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $7K
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$583K to the City of Parker for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
- 2000Tropical Storm Helene$2K to the City of Parker for repairs
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 Parker after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Parker archive →Parker and its neighbors
Parker has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parker | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 82 |
| Springfield | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 89 |
| Callaway | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 257 |
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 Parker 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 Parker
Is Parker at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parker has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #579 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (86%) and river and rain flooding (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Parker flood?
Flood insurance has paid 82 claims in Parker since 1987, $3.0M in all, or 34.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Michael (33).
Is Parker 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 Parker?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Parker’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 Parker?
By FEMA money that reached Parker, Hurricane Michael (2018): 110 households applied for aid, $213K approved, and $12.1M to the City of Parker for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Michael: 33 paid, $2.0M.
Is Parker at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Parker’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Parker.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Parker’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.