Photo: The Bushranger · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Wewahitchka than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wewahitchka gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 19 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 Wewahitchka’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wewahitchka 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 Wewahitchka’s grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wewahitchka, and Wewahitchka’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 25% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
D− among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wewahitchka’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Wewahitchka: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wewahitchka flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wewahitchka, from FEMA’s records: 17.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto2 claims · $36K
Wewahitchka isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gulf County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wewahitchka
Disasters that paid out in Wewahitchka itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wewahitchka), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene15 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Michael2,065 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$1.7M to the City of Wewahitchka for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis55 households applied for aid$22K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan60 households applied for aid$143K aid approved
Gulf County has had 35 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Gulf County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Wewahitchka after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wewahitchka archive →Get ready for what Wewahitchka 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 Wewahitchka
Is Wewahitchka at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wewahitchka has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wewahitchka flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Wewahitchka since 1978, $277K in all, or 17.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (2).
Is Wewahitchka 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 Gulf County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 19.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wewahitchka?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wewahitchka’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 Wewahitchka?
By FEMA money that reached Wewahitchka, Hurricane Michael (2018): 2,065 households applied for aid, $3.0M approved, and $1.7M to the City of Wewahitchka for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 2 paid, $36K.
Is Wewahitchka at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Wewahitchka’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wewahitchka.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wewahitchka’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.