Callaway
Population 14,369 (2025)
43 tropical storms and hurricanes have passed within 50 miles of Callaway since 1851; the strongest at closest approach was Michael in 2018 (Category 4).
Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed
- Tornado damage paths within 25 miles since 1950109
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger90
- Wildfire burn scars within 25 miles since 198452
- Major flood years since 1978, Bay County5
At a glance
Tornado paths within 25 miles, tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles and wildfire perimeters within 25 miles of the city centre. Storm events, flood insurance claims and disaster declarations are for Bay County. Earthquakes within 50 miles, volcanoes within 100 miles and smoke days are measured from the city centre; river and tide gauges, tsunami and landslide records and the drought index are for Bay County.
Strongest tornado
F3
December 10, 1967, 7.1 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
Cat. 4
Hurricane Michael, 2018, 10.1 miles away
Tornadoes
About one tornado a year since 1950, 2 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
December 10, 1967
F3, 7.1 mile path
250 yards wide; 1 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Monday, October 27, 2025
EF0, 0.6 mile path
Within the past year.
Every recorded tornado
| Oct 27, 2025 | EF0 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2025 | EF1 | 1.2 | 10 | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 12.9 | 2 | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF3 | 5.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2023 | EF0 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2023 | EF1 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 17, 2023 | EF0 | 5.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2022 | EF2 | 1.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 9, 2022 | EF1 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2021 | EF1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2021 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2021 | EF2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2021 | EF1 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2021 | EF0 | 3.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF0 | 1.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 23, 2020 | EF0 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 23, 2020 | EF0 | 13.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 19, 2019 | EF1 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 1, 2018 | EF0 | 2.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF0 | 1.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 22, 2016 | EF0 | 1.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 13, 2014 | EF0 | 2.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 26, 2013 | EF1 | 2.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 30, 2012 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 4, 2011 | EF0 | 1.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2008 | EF0 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2006 | F0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2006 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2005 | F0 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 7, 2005 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 7, 2005 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2004 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 15, 2004 | F0 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 15, 2004 | F1 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 15, 2004 | F1 | 5.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 15, 2004 | F1 | 5.0 | 7 | 1 |
| Sep 15, 2004 | F0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2004 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 16, 2003 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 15, 2001 | F2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 13, 2000 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 2, 1999 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 2, 1999 | F2 | 3.8 | 7 | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1998 | F1 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1998 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 8, 1998 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 13, 1997 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 26, 1997 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 26, 1997 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1997 | F1 | 0.5 | 2 | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1997 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1997 | F1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1996 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1996 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1995 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 17, 1995 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1994 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 30, 1993 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1992 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 17, 1992 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 17, 1992 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 30, 1991 | F0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1989 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 5, 1988 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1988 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 10, 1988 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1985 | F1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Jan 17, 1985 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 25, 1984 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 14, 1983 | F1 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1983 | F1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 29, 1983 | F1 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1982 | F1 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1982 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1982 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| May 26, 1981 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 1, 1981 | F1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1980 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1980 | F1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 |
| May 17, 1980 | F1 | 7.7 | 6 | 0 |
| Dec 9, 1978 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1978 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 26, 1976 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1975 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1975 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 23, 1975 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 22, 1975 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 12, 1975 | F2 | 168.5 | 33 | 1 |
| May 11, 1974 | F1 | 0.1 | 1 | 0 |
| May 11, 1974 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1973 | F1 | 0.5 | 6 | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1972 | F0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 10, 1967 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 10, 1967 | F3 | 7.1 | 50 | 1 |
| Mar 31, 1962 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1960 | F2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1960 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1960 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 18, 1960 | F2 | 7.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1958 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 24, 1956 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1954 | F2 | 2.0 | 3 | 0 |
| Dec 21, 1953 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1953 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 6, 1953 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1952 | F1 | 0.1 | 1 | 0 |
| Feb 20, 1952 | F2 | 1.5 | 4 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond this area.
- Weak tornadoes were under-recorded before Doppler radar coverage became national in the early 1990s, so earlier decades read low. Ratings use the Fujita scale before February 2007 and the Enhanced Fujita scale after.
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
43 passed within 50 miles since 1851; 18 at hurricane strength, 5 as major hurricanes.
Strongest within 50 miles
October 10, 2018
Michael, Category 4
10.1 miles at closest approach, winds near 155 mph.
Most recent
September 9, 2021
Mindy, Tropical storm
40.0 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
| Mindy | 2021 | 40.0 | Tropical storm |
| Fred | 2021 | 10.1 | Tropical storm |
| Nestor | 2019 | 5.7 | Post-tropical |
| Michael | 2018 | 10.1 | Category 4 |
| Alberto | 2018 | 25.0 | Tropical storm |
| Hermine | 2016 | 77.0 | Category 1 |
| Colin | 2016 | 86.8 | Tropical storm |
| Debby | 2012 | 79.5 | Tropical storm |
| Claudette | 2009 | 27.3 | Tropical storm |
| Fay | 2008 | 7.3 | Tropical storm |
| Alberto | 2006 | 97.1 | Tropical storm |
| Dennis | 2005 | 81.5 | Category 3 |
| Frances | 2004 | 78.9 | Tropical storm |
| Bonnie | 2004 | 45.4 | Tropical storm |
| Barry | 2001 | 45.3 | Tropical storm |
| Earl | 1998 | 9.3 | Category 1 |
| Josephine | 1996 | 84.9 | Tropical storm |
| Opal | 1995 | 90.9 | Category 2 |
| Erin | 1995 | 53.3 | Category 1 |
| Allison | 1995 | 62.7 | Tropical storm |
| Beryl | 1994 | 4.5 | Tropical storm |
| Alberto | 1994 | 58.6 | Tropical storm |
| Kate | 1985 | 15.5 | Category 2 |
| Elena | 1985 | 54.7 | Category 3 |
| Unnamed | 1976 | 74.7 | Subtropical storm |
| Eloise | 1975 | 46.4 | Category 3 |
| Agnes | 1972 | 3.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1969 | 73.3 | Subtropical storm |
| Alma | 1966 | 72.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1965 | 66.9 | Tropical storm |
| Hilda | 1964 | 36.5 | Post-tropical |
| Dora | 1964 | 64.1 | Tropical storm |
| Debbie | 1957 | 32.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1957 | 62.5 | Tropical storm |
| Flossy | 1956 | 38.6 | Category 1 |
| Florence | 1953 | 40.6 | Category 1 |
| Alice | 1953 | 21.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1948 | 92.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1941 | 56.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1939 | 19.4 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1937 | 31.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1937 | 32.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1936 | 53.1 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1932 | 48.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1929 | 10.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1928 | 40.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1928 | 68.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1926 | 53.5 | Category 3 |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 76.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 33.3 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1919 | 82.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1917 | 57.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1915 | 10.1 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1914 | 57.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1912 | 84.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1911 | 71.0 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1907 | 9.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1907 | 19.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1906 | 3.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1903 | 3.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1902 | 98.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1901 | 58.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1901 | 58.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1900 | 86.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1899 | 27.4 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1898 | 5.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1896 | 55.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1894 | 5.6 | Category 3 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 87.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1889 | 87.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1887 | 64.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 36.3 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 92.6 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 9.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 9.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1882 | 68.7 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1880 | 8.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1879 | 52.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1878 | 18.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 82.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 9.5 | Category 3 |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 35.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1875 | 3.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1873 | 64.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1871 | 51.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1871 | 78.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1868 | 18.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1867 | 50.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1860 | 87.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1856 | 18.2 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1852 | 67.0 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1851 | 9.3 | Category 3 |
- Tropical storms and hurricanes (34 kt or more, still tropical) at closest approach. Post-tropical remnants with gale-force winds are listed but not counted. Direct: track within 50 miles; near: within 100 miles. Distance is measured to the county boundary for counties and to the city centre for cities, using positions interpolated hourly between HURDAT2 fixes.
National Hurricane Center HURDAT2, 1851 to 2025.
Wildfire and smoke
52 large fires burned within 25 miles since 1984.
Largest
March 4, 2022
Bertha Swamp Rd Fire, 23,039 acres
10.3 miles from the city centre.
Most recent
March 4, 2022
Bertha Swamp Rd Fire
23,039 acres in total.
Every large fire
| Bertha Swamp Rd | 2022 | 10.3 | 23,039 |
| Adkins Avenue | 2022 | 4.2 | 758 |
| Cr 2297 Allenton (03) | 2019 | 3.4 | 727 |
| Firebreak 56 (23) | 2018 | 17.0 | 7,529 |
| Compartment 10 | 2018 | 10.6 | 739 |
| Tyndall Afb (03) | 2018 | 10.5 | 585 |
| Highway 79 | 2014 | 20.9 | 637 |
| Fire Break | 2012 | 16.5 | 694 |
| Unnamed | 2008 | 16.2 | 597 |
| Unnamed | 2008 | 14.3 | 613 |
| Unnamed | 2008 | 9.6 | 847 |
| Scotts Ferry | 2006 | 17.9 | 644 |
| Burnt Mill Creek | 2006 | 17.7 | 659 |
| Unnamed | 2006 | 3.2 | 1,740 |
| Callaway Heights | 2004 | 4.7 | 872 |
| Unnamed | 2004 | 15.7 | 803 |
| Unnamed | 2000 | 6.0 | 1,120 |
| Unnamed | 2000 | 20.0 | 504 |
| Unnamed | 2000 | 2.8 | 746 |
| Unnamed | 2000 | 11.0 | 825 |
| Unnamed | 1997 | 15.1 | 1,010 |
| Unnamed | 1997 | 24.4 | 906 |
| Unnamed | 1996 | 12.9 | 663 |
| Unnamed | 1996 | 23.0 | 630 |
| Unnamed | 1995 | 20.7 | 1,779 |
| Unnamed | 1993 | 17.4 | 705 |
| Unnamed | 1993 | 16.1 | 699 |
| Unnamed | 1993 | 11.4 | 1,178 |
| Unnamed | 1992 | 22.1 | 983 |
| Unnamed | 1992 | 19.7 | 556 |
| Unnamed | 1992 | 21.3 | 590 |
| Unnamed | 1991 | 20.7 | 776 |
| Unnamed | 1990 | 19.3 | 1,724 |
| Unnamed | 1990 | 3.1 | 3,988 |
| Unnamed | 1990 | 8.0 | 769 |
| Unnamed | 1986 | 21.2 | 3,587 |
| Unnamed | 1986 | 18.0 | 802 |
| Unnamed | 1986 | 21.7 | 1,140 |
| Unnamed | 1986 | 16.4 | 1,303 |
| Unnamed | 1986 | 22.8 | 973 |
| Unnamed | 1986 | 20.3 | 586 |
| Unnamed | 1986 | 22.6 | 1,190 |
| Unnamed | 1986 | 21.9 | 1,439 |
| Unnamed | 1986 | 12.9 | 834 |
| Unnamed | 1986 | 22.9 | 1,066 |
| Unnamed | 1985 | 10.7 | 2,800 |
| Unnamed | 1985 | 14.8 | 1,688 |
| Unnamed | 1985 | 12.9 | 542 |
| Unnamed | 1985 | 20.4 | 552 |
| Unnamed | 1984 | 18.0 | 1,653 |
| Unnamed | 1984 | 13.1 | 1,141 |
| Unnamed | 1984 | 12.1 | 1,051 |
- Large fires mapped by the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program since 1984: 1,000 acres or more in the West, 500 or more in the East. Prescribed burns are excluded. Acres here are the part of each perimeter inside this place.
Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (USGS and U.S. Forest Service), 1984 to 2026.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 30 days
Heavy smoke on 4 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
7.4 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
6 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 11 so far in 2026.
- A smoke day is a date on which a smoke plume traced by NOAA Hazard Mapping System analysts from satellite imagery covered this place's point (the county's population centre or the city centre). Counts here are of medium or heavy smoke. Since 2018 analysts have often drawn light smoke as one area over most of the continent, so light-smoke counts are not comparable from year to year. The plumes show smoke anywhere in the air above, not air quality at the ground, and smoke hidden by cloud is missed.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, 2011 to 2026, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Floods and flood insurance
9,005 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, with $338 million paid.
Flood insurance figures are for Bay County, the county that contains Callaway.
Most claims in one year
1995: 3,026 claims
$140 million paid.
2nd most
2018: 2,185 claims
$126 million paid.
3rd most
1998: 698 claims
$9.7 million paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 32407 | 1,625 | $47.5 million |
| 32408 | 1,398 | $41.7 million |
| 32444 | 1,221 | $34.8 million |
| 32405 | 1,135 | $26.1 million |
| 32413 | 1,032 | $49.6 million |
| 32404 | 838 | $18.0 million |
| 32456 | 753 | $95.6 million |
| 32401 | 552 | $12.4 million |
| 32409 | 191 | $3.5 million |
| 32410 | 123 | $5.6 million |
| 32466 | 38 | $409,000 |
| 26 | $377,000 | |
| 32402 | 16 | $274,000 |
| 32400 | 9 | $301,000 |
| 32461 | 9 | $188,000 |
| 32411 | 7 | $278,000 |
| 32438 | 5 | $35,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood149
- Flood28
- Heavy Rain8
- Coastal Flood4
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026. NOAA Storm Events through 2026.
River crests
River gauges in Bay County, the county that contains Callaway.
Most severe crest
September 16, 2020
Bear Creek at US 231, 29.54 ft
6.54 feet above the 23.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
September 27, 2024
East Bay at Callaway Bayou (in MHHW), 3.10 ft
Moderate flooding.
River gauges
| Bear Creek at US 231 | 23.0 | 29.54 ft | 1 |
| Cooks Bayou at Parker Branch (in MHHW) | 2.0 | — | 0 |
| Deer Point Lake at Deer Point Dam (in NAVD88) | 6.5 | 8.48 ft | 0 |
| East Bay at Callaway Bayou (in MHHW) | 2.0 | 3.10 ft | 0 |
| East Bay at Watson Bayou Pier (in MHHW) | 3.0 | 2.87 ft | 0 |
| Econfina Creek at State Road 20 | 21.0 | 26.17 ft | 0 |
| Econfina Creek near Bennett | 10.6 | 15.61 ft | 0 |
| Econfina Creek near Deer Point Lake (in NAVD88) | 6.5 | — | 0 |
| Parker City Pier at Dupont Bridge (in MHHW) | 2.0 | — | 0 |
| Parker at East Bay (in MHHW) | 2.0 | — | 0 |
| Pearl Bayou in East Bay (in MHHW) | 2.0 | — | 0 |
| Pelican Point at Cooks Bayou (in MHHW) | 2.0 | — | 0 |
| Sandy Creek at Sandy Creek Boat Ramp (in NAVD88) | 4.0 | 5.01 ft | 0 |
| Tide Station at Mexico Beach (in MHHW) | 3.0 | — | 0 |
| Tide Station at Panama City Beach Pier (in MHHW) | 2.2 | 6.63 ft | 1 |
| Tide Station at Panama City Marina (in MHHW) | 2.0 | 5.72 ft | 2 |
| Tide Station at St Andrews State Park Pier (in MHHW) | 2.5 | 3.05 ft | 0 |
- Crests are the highest and the recent crests the National Weather Service lists for each river gauge in the county that has a flood stage, not every flood. Flood categories use each gauge's current flood stages; crests from before levees, dams or channel changes may not be comparable. Crests measured on an old datum are left out of the rankings.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge records, retrieved October 30, 2026.
High tide flooding
Tide gauges in Bay County.
Most in one year, Panama City
9 days
May 2020 to April 2021.
Last ten years
3.5 days a year
At Panama City, 2016–26.
Moderate or major
15 days
Since 1973, 4 of them major.
Other tide gauges here: Panama City Beach (record 11 days, 2020).
- High tide flooding days are days on which a NOAA tide gauge recorded water at or above NOAA's minor flood threshold, set from the gauge's tide range, counted by meteorological year (May to April). These are the counts in NOAA's annual high tide flooding reports; they are not National Weather Service flood stages. Years with less than 80 percent of data are left out.
NOAA CO-OPS high tide flooding counts, through April 2026, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 106 of 1,581 months since 1895 (7%); the longest spell lasted 23 months.
The drought index is for Bay County, the county that contains Callaway.
106
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
14
Months in extreme drought
7%
Share of all months, severe or worse
66
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
August 2007
−5.19, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
23 months
August 1954 to June 1956.
Latest month
September 2026
−1.56, mild drought
Last severe month: April 2026.
- The Palmer Drought Severity Index is computed by NOAA each month from the county's average temperature and precipitation, relative to the county's own climate. Zero is normal; -3 or lower is severe drought and -4 or lower extreme drought. It describes the long-term balance of moisture, not water supply or crop losses.
NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, 1895 to September 2026, issued October 6, 2026.
Earthquakes and tsunamis
No earthquake of magnitude 2.5 or more is recorded within 50 miles of the city centre in the USGS catalogue, which begins in 1900.
Tsunamis
Tsunami records for Bay County.
Highest water recorded
Apr 23, 2020
1.6 ft, Panama City Beach, FL
From Gulf Of Mexico.
On record
1 tsunami
Since 2020.
| Apr 23, 2020 | Gulf Of Mexico | 1.6 | 0 |
- Places where NOAA's Global Historical Tsunami Database records a tsunami's water arriving, with the greatest height it reached above sea level at the time. Only tsunamis NOAA rates probable or definite are counted. Heights from eyewitness accounts and tide gauges are mixed, and older events are less completely recorded.
NOAA NCEI/WDS Global Historical Tsunami Database, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Severe weather and other events
894 events in the National Weather Service record for Bay County, 802 of them since 1996.
39
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
2
Hail, 2 inches or larger
237
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
6
Winter weather events since 1996
29
Heat events since 1996
6
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
March 25, 1984
3.00 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
March 18, 2021
82 mph
More event types since 1996
| Rip currents | 63 | 70 |
| High surf and sneaker waves | 3 | 3 |
| Storm surge and tide | 12 | 4 |
| Lightning | 23 | 5 |
| Dense fog and smoke | 1 | 1 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Oct 10, 2018Hurricane (Typhoon), Coastal Bay$6.0 billion
National Weather Service narrative
Hurricane Michael started as typical weak October Caribbean tropical system. However, after approximately a week of slow development, the system moved into warm Gulf of Mexico waters and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved north towards the Florida Panhandle. After a 2-day long intensification period over the eastern Gulf, Michael made landfall as an unprecedented (for the region) high-end category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale in the Florida Panhandle with maximum sustained wind speed of 155 mph and a minimum pressure 919 mb. Based on wind, Michael is the fourth most powerful hurricane to hit the United States, behind the Labor Day…
- Oct 10, 2018Storm Surge/Tide, Coastal Bay$700 million
National Weather Service narrative
Hurricane Michael started as typical weak October Caribbean tropical system. However, after approximately a week of slow development, the system moved into warm Gulf of Mexico waters and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved north towards the Florida Panhandle. After a 2-day long intensification period over the eastern Gulf, Michael made landfall as an unprecedented (for the region) high-end category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale in the Florida Panhandle with maximum sustained wind speed of 155 mph and a minimum pressure 919 mb. Based on wind, Michael is the fourth most powerful hurricane to hit the United States, behind the Labor Day…
- Oct 10, 2018Hurricane (Typhoon), Inland Bay$200 million
National Weather Service narrative
Hurricane Michael started as typical weak October Caribbean tropical system. However, after approximately a week of slow development, the system moved into warm Gulf of Mexico waters and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved north towards the Florida Panhandle. After a 2-day long intensification period over the eastern Gulf, Michael made landfall as an unprecedented (for the region) high-end category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale in the Florida Panhandle with maximum sustained wind speed of 155 mph and a minimum pressure 919 mb. Based on wind, Michael is the fourth most powerful hurricane to hit the United States, behind the Labor Day…
- Sep 15, 2004Hurricane (Typhoon), Bay$25.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Hurricane Ivan made landfall near Gulf Shores, AL, during the predawn hours of September 16. Maximum sustained winds reached 50 knots, with gusts to 62 knots at Buoy 42039, 80 miles south of Panama City, FL. The lowest sea-level pressure was 999.6 mb at Panama City. Rainfall totals ranged from 9.26 inches at Mossy Head, FL, to 0.15 inches at Cross City, FL. Storm tides along the Gulf coast varied from ten feet in Bay and Walton counties to four feet in Taylor and Dixie counties. Large swells from Ivan began to the affect the Gulf coast from the St. Joseph Peninsula to the Suwannee River on September 14. Storm surges continued for several hours after landfall. Beach erosion varied…
- Jan 9, 2024Tornado$15.3 million
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado moved onshore Panama City Beach in the Lower Grand Lagoon area along Spyglass Drive. Significant damage occurred to several homes, including the complete destruction of one beachfront home. The damage at this location was determined to|support an EF-3 rating with max winds estimated at 140 mph. Significant damage to homes and businesses continued as the tornado moved northeast across and along Thomas Drive where two apartment building were heavily damaged. EF-3 damage was again noted at a large boat storage facility which suffered significant structural failure. The tornado continued northeastward across Grand Lagoon and through the Bay Point Golf Club, causing…
- Jul 9, 2005Hurricane (Typhoon), Bay$10.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Dennis, a Category 3 hurricane, moved inland just east of Gulf Breeze, FL, early Sunday afternoon, July 10. The peak wind gust and lowest sea-level pressure recorded were 67 knots and 979 mb, respectively, at Buoy 42039 located 80 miles south of Panama City, FL. Rainfall totals ranged from 3 to 4 inches in the eastern Florida Panhandle to 6 to 10 inches in the Florida Big Bend. Flooding was reported in southern Leon County where several areas were under 3 to 4 feet of water. Maximum coastal storm surge heights ranged from 4 to 8 feet in Walton, Bay, Gulf, Taylor and Dixie counties to 8 to 12 feet in Franklin, Wakulla and Jefferson counties. Moderate to severe beach erosion was…
- Sep 28, 1998Hurricane (Typhoon), Bay$7.5 million
National Weather Service narrative
Hurricane Georges, a Category 2 storm, made landfall near Biloxi, MS early Monday, September 28, 1998. A peak wind gust of 52 knots was measured at the Gulf of Mexico data buoy 85 nautical miles south of Panama City. Georges produced storm surges of 6 to 12 feet along the Florida Panhandle coast and 3 to 5 feet along the Big Bend coast. Torrential rainfall amounts of 12 to 24 inches were common over Southeast Alabama and the Florida Panhandle with 5 to 10 inches over Southwest Georgia and the Big Bend. These rains swelled area rivers, creeks, and streams well above flood stage. Eight people were injured as numerous tornadoes were spawned by the remnants of Tropical Depression…
- Jul 10, 2005Storm Surge/Tide, Bay$7.5 million
National Weather Service narrative
A five to seven foot storm surge caused moderate to severe beach erosion. 163 homes and five businesses were damaged. Many docks, seawalls, power lines, trees and fences suffered the worst damage. Reported by the Bay County EMA.
- May 2, 2014Flood$5.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Heavy rain from the previous week breached the levee in the Intracoastal Waterway at the Bay-Walton county line, shutting down barge traffic. This resulted in a local gas shortage for Panama City as none of the barges could deliver gasoline to the local market. The Army Corps of Engineers estimated that a permanent fix will cost up to $5 million.
- Sep 15, 2004Tornado$5.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
A strong F1 tornado touched down near the St Andrews recreation area. It damaged dozens of restaurants, stores and shops as it moved north along Thomas Drive. Seven persons were injured at a seafood restaurant near Grand Lagoon. An elderly man was killed when the tornado destroyed a real estate office. The tornado moved across St Andrews Bay near the Hathaway Bridge and then 100 yards south of the WJHG-TV station before dissipating. Reported by the Bay County EMA and WJHG-TV meteorologist.
- Storm Events records before 1996 cover only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail. Damage figures are as reported by the National Weather Service at the time, not adjusted for inflation.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1950 to 2026, issued October 26, 2026.
Weather records
From Wewahitchka, 21.1 miles from the city centre, with records from 1901.
- All-time high
- 105°FJul 15, 2010
- All-time low
- 11°F5 times, most recently Jan 2, 2011
- Warmest night
- 83°F3 times, most recently Aug 18, 1985
- Coldest day
- 28°F2 times, most recently Jan 22, 1985
- Wettest day
- 16.22 inSep 21, 1969
- Snowiest day
- 2.7 inFeb 13, 1958
- Hottest year
- 1998mean 70.1°F
- Coldest year
- 1988mean 65.3°F
- Wettest year
- 1966108.96 in
- Driest year
- 200040.89 in
- Snowiest season
- 2.7 in1957-58
49 of 51 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Wewahitchka (USC00089566), 44 ft elevation, 21.1 miles from the city centre. Daily records from 1901 to September 30, 2026; 91.0% of days in the last 30 years are complete. Records at a single station can differ from a city’s official threaded record, which may combine several stations.
NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily.
Federal disaster declarations
51 since 1953. The most recent: Hurricane Isaias, October 27, 2026.
Declarations for Bay County.
| Oct 27, 2026 | Hurricane | DR-4955-FL |
| Oct 9, 2026 | Tropical Storm | EM-3655-FL |
| Sep 28, 2024 | Hurricane | DR-4828-FL |
| Sep 24, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3615-FL |
| Aug 10, 2024 | Tropical Storm | DR-4806-FL |
| Aug 3, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3605-FL |
| Aug 31, 2023 | Hurricane | DR-4734-FL |
| Aug 28, 2023 | Tropical Storm | EM-3596-FL |
| Sep 29, 2022 | Hurricane | DR-4673-FL |
| Sep 24, 2022 | Hurricane | EM-3584-FL |
| Mar 6, 2022 | Fire | FM-5426-FL |
| Mar 4, 2022 | Fire | FM-5424-FL |
| Aug 16, 2021 | Hurricane | EM-3562-FL |
| Sep 23, 2020 | Hurricane | DR-4564-FL |
| Sep 15, 2020 | Hurricane | EM-3546-FL |
| Mar 25, 2020 | Biological | DR-4486-FL |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3432-FL |
| Aug 30, 2019 | Hurricane | EM-3419-FL |
| Oct 11, 2018 | Hurricane | DR-4399-FL |
| Oct 9, 2018 | Hurricane | EM-3405-FL |
| Sep 10, 2017 | Hurricane | DR-4337-FL |
| Sep 5, 2017 | Hurricane | EM-3385-FL |
| May 6, 2014 | Severe Storm | DR-4177-FL |
| Aug 2, 2013 | Severe Storm | DR-4138-FL |
| Oct 18, 2012 | Hurricane | DR-4084-FL |
| Apr 21, 2009 | Severe Storm | DR-1831-FL |
| Oct 27, 2008 | Hurricane | DR-1806-FL |
| Aug 21, 2008 | Severe Storm | EM-3288-FL |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3220-FL |
| Aug 28, 2005 | Hurricane | DR-1602-FL |
| Jul 10, 2005 | Hurricane | DR-1595-FL |
| Sep 16, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1551-FL |
| Sep 4, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1545-FL |
| Aug 13, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1539-FL |
| Jun 17, 2001 | Severe Storm | DR-1381-FL |
| Oct 3, 2000 | Severe Storm | DR-1344-FL |
| Apr 27, 1999 | Fire | EM-3139-FL |
| Apr 17, 1999 | Fire | FM-2255-FL |
| Sep 28, 1998 | Hurricane | DR-1249-FL |
| Sep 25, 1998 | Hurricane | EM-3131-FL |
| Sep 4, 1998 | Hurricane | DR-1241-FL |
| Jun 18, 1998 | Fire | DR-1223-FL |
| Jan 6, 1998 | Severe Storm | DR-1195-FL |
| Oct 4, 1995 | Hurricane | DR-1069-FL |
| Aug 10, 1995 | Hurricane | DR-1062-FL |
| Jul 10, 1994 | Severe Storm | DR-1035-FL |
| Jul 8, 1994 | Flood | EM-3114-FL |
| Apr 3, 1990 | Flood | DR-862-FL |
| Sep 13, 1979 | Hurricane | DR-600-FL |
| Sep 26, 1975 | Flood | DR-484-FL |
| Aug 22, 1975 | Flood | DR-479-FL |
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved October 30, 2026. Statewide declarations are not listed.
Sources and vintage
Every number on this page comes from these public records.
- Tornadoes NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, through 2025.
- Tropical cyclones NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 (Atlantic; Northeast and Central Pacific), through 2025.
- Wildfire USGS/USFS Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity, through 2026.
- Storm events NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, through 2026.
- Flood insurance OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026.
- Declarations OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Weather records NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily, station USC00089566.
- River crests NOAA National Weather Service, National Water Prediction Service river gauges, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Tide gauges NOAA CO-OPS high tide flooding counts, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Drought NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, through September 2026.
- Smoke NOAA NESDIS Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Tsunamis NOAA NCEI/WDS Global Historical Tsunami Database.
- Earthquakes USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), retrieved October 30, 2026.
Joins, thresholds and known limits are set out in the methodology. Found an error? Report it. Page built October 30, 2026.