More hazard damage per building is expected in Springfield than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #586 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (84%), then river and rain flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 89 claims here since 1980.
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 Springfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Springfield 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 Springfield’s grade
Hurricanes are 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Springfield, and Springfield’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 13% (lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #586 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Springfield’s residents live in 5 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, Springfield has more expected damage per building than 92% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Springfield: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Springfield flood? Sometimes: 89 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Springfield, from FEMA’s records: 23.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Michael35 claims · $896K
- Tropical Storm Fred6 claims · $187K
- Hurricane Dennis1 claim · $6K
Springfield 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 Springfield
Disasters that paid out in Springfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Springfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael27 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$35.0M to the City of Springfield for repairs35 flood claims paid for it, $896K
- 2017Hurricane Irma$15K to the City of Springfield for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$42K to the City of Springfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$167K to the City of Springfield for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$5K to the City of Springfield for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$11K to the City of Springfield for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$63K to the City of Springfield for repairs
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$54K to the City of Springfield 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 Springfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Springfield archive →Springfield and its neighbors
Springfield is 4th 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 |
| 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 Springfield 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 Springfield
Is Springfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #586 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (84%) and river and rain flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Springfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 89 claims in Springfield since 1980, $1.9M in all, or 23.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Michael (35).
Is Springfield 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 Springfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Springfield’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 Springfield?
By FEMA money that reached Springfield, Hurricane Michael (2018): 27 households applied for aid, $134K approved, and $35.0M to the City of Springfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Michael: 35 paid, $896K.
Is Springfield at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Springfield’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Springfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Springfield’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.