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 for Callaway Tornado: 98th percentile. Tropical: 96th percentile. Wildfire: 67th percentile. Flood: 89th percentile. Hail & wind: 50th percentile. Heat: 78th percentile. Cold: 34th percentile. Winter: 4th percentile. TORTROPFIREFLOODSEVEREHEATCOLDWINTER

Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed

2026
  • 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.

Tornadoes since 1950, within 25 mi

109

2 rated F3/EF3 or stronger

Details

Tropical cyclones within 50 mi

43

18 at hurricane strength since 1851

Details

Flood insurance claims

9,005

Bay County

$338 million paid since 1978

Details

Large wildfires within 25 mi

52

Largest: Bertha Swamp Rd, 2022

Details

Strongest tornado

F3

December 10, 1967, 7.1 mile path

Strongest tropical cyclone

Cat. 4

Hurricane Michael, 2018, 10.1 miles away

Federal disaster declarations

51

Most recent: Hurricane Isaias, 2026

Details

Record high

105°F

July 15, 2010

Details

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.

Tornadoes by decade, within 25 miles Doppler radar era² 1950s: 8 8 1960s: 7 7 1970s: 12 12 1980s: 18 18 1990s: 21 21 2000s: 16 16 2010s: 8 8 2020s: 19 19 1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020s
Recorded tornadoes per decade. The 2020s are incomplete.
Tornadoes by month J: 13 F: 9 M: 15 15 A: 15 M: 4 J: 6 J: 2 A: 3 S: 14 O: 14 N: 7 D: 7 JFMAMJJASOND
By month of occurrence, all years.

Every recorded tornado

Tornadoes within 25 miles since 1950
Oct 27, 2025EF00.65000
Oct 27, 2025EF11.2270100
Jan 9, 2024EF20.915000
Jan 9, 2024EF212.960020
Jan 9, 2024EF00.25000
Jan 9, 2024EF35.255000
Apr 27, 2023EF00.95000
Apr 27, 2023EF10.87500
Mar 17, 2023EF05.22500
Mar 18, 2022EF21.67500
Mar 9, 2022EF10.42500
Apr 10, 2021EF10.23000
Apr 10, 2021EF00.52500
Apr 10, 2021EF20.510000
Mar 18, 2021EF10.45000
Mar 18, 2021EF03.910000
Feb 15, 2021EF01.35000
Apr 23, 2020EF00.95000
Apr 23, 2020EF013.47500
Jan 19, 2019EF10.85000
Dec 1, 2018EF02.45000
Apr 15, 2018EF01.16000
Jan 22, 2016EF01.25000
Oct 13, 2014EF02.63000
Nov 26, 2013EF12.95000
Mar 30, 2012EF00.22000
Sep 4, 2011EF01.12500
Oct 8, 2008EF03.512500
Oct 27, 2006F00.83000
Oct 22, 2006F00.25000
Dec 24, 2005F02.710000
Mar 7, 2005F01.05000
Mar 7, 2005F00.25000
Nov 24, 2004F00.15000
Sep 15, 2004F07.07500
Sep 15, 2004F16.020000
Sep 15, 2004F15.020011
Sep 15, 2004F15.020071
Sep 15, 2004F03.010000
Jun 2, 2004F00.25000
Feb 16, 2003F10.220000
Mar 15, 2001F22.015000
Feb 13, 2000F10.55000
Jan 2, 1999F01.0000
Jan 2, 1999F23.810070
Sep 29, 1998F13.07010
Sep 28, 1998F12.06000
Mar 8, 1998F00.53000
Nov 13, 1997F00.13000
Oct 26, 1997F01.07300
Oct 26, 1997F00.55000
Oct 24, 1997F10.57320
Oct 24, 1997F10.57300
Oct 24, 1997F11.015010
Mar 7, 1996F00.12500
Mar 7, 1996F00.15000
Aug 9, 1995F00.12000
Feb 17, 1995F02.03000
Jun 25, 1994F00.11000
Oct 30, 1993F00.11000
Jun 3, 1992F00.11000
Feb 17, 1992F00.21000
Feb 17, 1992F11.05000
Jan 30, 1991F00.43000
Jun 8, 1989F00.21000
Nov 5, 1988F11.03000
Oct 3, 1988F01.03000
Sep 10, 1988F01.03000
Mar 17, 1985F10.51010
Jan 17, 1985F01.01000
Mar 25, 1984F01.05000
Dec 14, 1983F11.55000
Aug 3, 1983F10.34000
Jan 29, 1983F10.73000
Nov 3, 1982F10.42000
Jul 29, 1982F10.21000
Jul 28, 1982F00.21000
May 26, 1981F01.03000
Feb 1, 1981F10.31000
Aug 21, 1980F00.12000
Jun 25, 1980F10.55010
May 17, 1980F17.72060
Dec 9, 1978F10.22000
Nov 27, 1978F00.11000
Jan 26, 1976F00.11000
Nov 12, 1975F00.12000
Oct 16, 1975F10.14000
Sep 23, 1975F00.13000
Sep 22, 1975F10.13000
Jan 12, 1975F2168.5100331
May 11, 1974F10.12010
May 11, 1974F10.12000
Apr 26, 1973F10.53360
Jun 29, 1972F00.32000
Dec 10, 1967F20.17000
Dec 10, 1967F37.1250501
Mar 31, 1962F10.11000
Sep 15, 1960F20.520000
Sep 15, 1960F10.11000
Apr 3, 1960F20.11000
Feb 18, 1960F27.640000
Apr 9, 1958F20.11000
Sep 24, 1956F20.11000
Apr 16, 1954F22.01030
Dec 21, 1953F20.11000
Apr 12, 1953F20.11000
Apr 6, 1953F20.11000
Apr 4, 1952F10.12010
Feb 20, 1952F21.57340
  1. Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond this area.
  2. 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.

Tropical cyclones within 50 miles by decade 50s: 2 60s: 1 70s: 4 4 80s: 4 90s: 3 00s: 4 10s: 1 20s: 3 30s: 4 40s: 0 50s: 4 60s: 0 70s: 2 80s: 1 90s: 2 00s: 4 10s: 2 20s: 2 50s60s70s80s90s00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s00s10s20s
Storms within 50 miles, by decade. Records before about 1900 miss storms that never reached land or ships.

Every storm within 100 miles

Tropical cyclones within 100 miles
Mindy202140.0Tropical storm56Tropical storm
Fred202110.1Tropical storm59Tropical storm
Nestor20195.7Post-tropical46Tropical storm
Michael201810.1Category 4155Category 5
Alberto201825.0Tropical storm48Tropical storm
Hermine201677.0Category 181Category 1
Colin201686.8Tropical storm52Tropical storm
Debby201279.5Tropical storm46Tropical storm
Claudette200927.3Tropical storm51Tropical storm
Fay20087.3Tropical storm46Tropical storm
Alberto200697.1Tropical storm52Tropical storm
Dennis200581.5Category 3129Category 4
Frances200478.9Tropical storm46Category 4
Bonnie200445.4Tropical storm46Tropical storm
Barry200145.3Tropical storm69Tropical storm
Earl19989.3Category 181Category 2
Josephine199684.9Tropical storm69Tropical storm
Opal199590.9Category 2104Category 4
Erin199553.3Category 184Category 2
Allison199562.7Tropical storm69Category 1
Beryl19944.5Tropical storm58Tropical storm
Alberto199458.6Tropical storm55Tropical storm
Kate198515.5Category 296Category 3
Elena198554.7Category 3127Category 3
Unnamed197674.7Subtropical storm46Tropical storm
Eloise197546.4Category 3127Category 3
Agnes19723.7Category 175Category 1
Unnamed196973.3Subtropical storm47Tropical storm
Alma196672.7Category 186Category 3
Unnamed196566.9Tropical storm55Tropical storm
Hilda196436.5Post-tropical56Category 4
Dora196464.1Tropical storm46Category 4
Debbie195732.8Tropical storm40Tropical storm
Unnamed195762.5Tropical storm52Category 1
Flossy195638.6Category 175Category 1
Florence195340.6Category 192Category 3
Alice195321.1Tropical storm48Tropical storm
Unnamed194892.8Tropical storm40Tropical storm
Unnamed194156.7Category 184Category 3
Unnamed193919.4Category 175Category 1
Unnamed193731.0Tropical storm40Tropical storm
Unnamed193732.9Tropical storm40Tropical storm
Unnamed193653.1Category 2101Category 2
Unnamed193248.7Tropical storm58Category 1
Unnamed192910.2Category 181Category 4
Unnamed192840.2Tropical storm47Category 1
Unnamed192868.8Tropical storm40Category 2
Unnamed192653.5Category 3127Category 4
Unnamed192476.4Tropical storm63Category 1
Unnamed192433.3Category 186Category 1
Unnamed191982.4Tropical storm63Tropical storm
Unnamed191757.2Category 193Category 4
Unnamed191510.1Category 181Category 2
Unnamed191457.9Tropical storm40Tropical storm
Unnamed191284.8Tropical storm58Category 1
Unnamed191171.0Category 179Category 1
Unnamed19079.3Tropical storm52Tropical storm
Unnamed190719.0Tropical storm58Tropical storm
Unnamed19063.7Tropical storm52Tropical storm
Unnamed19033.7Category 192Category 1
Unnamed190298.8Tropical storm49Category 2
Unnamed190158.7Tropical storm44Tropical storm
Unnamed190158.5Tropical storm55Category 1
Unnamed190086.9Tropical storm46Tropical storm
Unnamed189927.4Category 174Category 2
Unnamed18985.6Tropical storm69Category 1
Unnamed189655.2Category 193Category 2
Unnamed18945.6Category 3121Category 3
Unnamed189387.9Tropical storm69Category 1
Unnamed188987.7Tropical storm60Category 2
Unnamed188764.2Category 183Category 2
Unnamed188636.3Category 298Category 2
Unnamed188692.6Category 298Category 2
Unnamed18859.5Tropical storm58Category 1
Unnamed18859.3Tropical storm58Tropical storm
Unnamed188268.7Category 2109Category 3
Unnamed18808.3Tropical storm72Category 2
Unnamed187952.3Tropical storm58Tropical storm
Unnamed187818.2Tropical storm58Category 1
Unnamed187782.6Tropical storm46Tropical storm
Unnamed18779.5Category 3115Category 3
Unnamed187735.7Tropical storm67Category 1
Unnamed18753.5Tropical storm55Tropical storm
Unnamed187364.7Category 181Category 1
Unnamed187151.7Tropical storm69Category 1
Unnamed187178.5Tropical storm46Category 3
Unnamed186818.2Tropical storm69Category 1
Unnamed186750.7Category 192Category 2
Unnamed186087.8Tropical storm46Category 3
Unnamed185618.2Category 2100Category 3
Unnamed185267.0Category 2104Category 2
Unnamed18519.3Category 3115Category 3
  1. 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.

Acres burned by large fires within 25 miles, cumulative 1984: 3,8451985: 5,5821986: 12,9201990: 6,4811991: 7761992: 2,1291993: 2,5821995: 1,7791996: 1,2931997: 1,9162000: 3,1952004: 1,6752006: 3,0432008: 2,0572012: 6942014: 6372018: 8,8532019: 7272022: 23,797 83,981 acres 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Running total of acres burned (line) and each year’s acres (bars).

Every large fire

Large wildfires since 1984
Bertha Swamp Rd202210.323,039
Adkins Avenue20224.2758
Cr 2297 Allenton (03)20193.4727
Firebreak 56 (23)201817.07,529
Compartment 10201810.6739
Tyndall Afb (03)201810.5585
Highway 79201420.9637
Fire Break201216.5694
Unnamed200816.2597
Unnamed200814.3613
Unnamed20089.6847
Scotts Ferry200617.9644
Burnt Mill Creek200617.7659
Unnamed20063.21,740
Callaway Heights20044.7872
Unnamed200415.7803
Unnamed20006.01,120
Unnamed200020.0504
Unnamed20002.8746
Unnamed200011.0825
Unnamed199715.11,010
Unnamed199724.4906
Unnamed199612.9663
Unnamed199623.0630
Unnamed199520.71,779
Unnamed199317.4705
Unnamed199316.1699
Unnamed199311.41,178
Unnamed199222.1983
Unnamed199219.7556
Unnamed199221.3590
Unnamed199120.7776
Unnamed199019.31,724
Unnamed19903.13,988
Unnamed19908.0769
Unnamed198621.23,587
Unnamed198618.0802
Unnamed198621.71,140
Unnamed198616.41,303
Unnamed198622.8973
Unnamed198620.3586
Unnamed198622.61,190
Unnamed198621.91,439
Unnamed198612.9834
Unnamed198622.91,066
Unnamed198510.72,800
Unnamed198514.81,688
Unnamed198512.9542
Unnamed198520.4552
Unnamed198418.01,653
Unnamed198413.11,141
Unnamed198412.11,051
  1. 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.

Days with medium or heavy smoke overhead, by year 2011: 11 2012: 1 2013: 0 2014: 0 2015: 0 2016: 0 2017: 2 2018: 2 2019: 1 2020: 3 2021: 7 2022: 17 2023: 30 30 2024: 6 2025: 6 201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Days each year on which a satellite-traced plume of medium or heavy smoke covered the city centre, 2011 to 2025.
  1. 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.

Federal flood insurance claims by year 1978: 11 1979: 24 1980: 5 1982: 18 1983: 26 1984: 45 1985: 255 1987: 8 1988: 18 1991: 103 1992: 10 1993: 7 1994: 24 1995: 3,026 3,026 1996: 16 1997: 14 1998: 698 1999: 76 2000: 13 2001: 17 2002: 11 2003: 27 2004: 344 2005: 528 2007: 5 2008: 169 2009: 33 2010: 19 2011: 7 2012: 32 2013: 528 2014: 33 2015: 12 2016: 33 2017: 12 2018: 2,185 2019: 23 2020: 347 2021: 178 2022: 15 2023: 13 2024: 19 2026: 5 197819841992199720022008201320182023
Claims per year since 1978. Years with fewer than five claims are not shown.

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

Flood insurance claims by ZIP code
324071,625$47.5 million
324081,398$41.7 million
324441,221$34.8 million
324051,135$26.1 million
324131,032$49.6 million
32404838$18.0 million
32456753$95.6 million
32401552$12.4 million
32409191$3.5 million
32410123$5.6 million
3246638$409,000
26$377,000
3240216$274,000
324009$301,000
324619$188,000
324117$278,000
324385$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.

Highest river crests above flood stage
Sep 16, 2020Bear Creek at US 23129.54+6.54Major
Oct 4, 1995Tide Station at Panama City Beach Pier (in MHHW)6.63+4.43Major
Oct 4, 1995Tide Station at Panama City Marina (in MHHW)5.72+3.72Major
Oct 10, 2018Tide Station at Panama City Marina (in MHHW)5.31+3.31Major
Oct 12, 2018Econfina Creek at State Road 2026.17+5.17Moderate
Sep 1, 1926Econfina Creek near Bennett15.61+5.01Moderate
Aug 16, 2021Bear Creek at US 23128.00+5.00Moderate
Sep 17, 2020Econfina Creek at State Road 2025.61+4.61Moderate
Apr 30, 2014Bear Creek at US 23127.56+4.56Moderate
Mar 3, 1991Econfina Creek near Bennett14.98+4.38Moderate
Oct 12, 2018Econfina Creek near Bennett13.74+3.14Moderate
May 1, 2014Econfina Creek at State Road 2024.11+3.11Moderate
Jul 10, 2005Tide Station at Panama City Beach Pier (in MHHW)5.22+3.02Moderate
Sep 17, 2020Econfina Creek near Bennett13.60+3.00Moderate
Aug 18, 2013Econfina Creek at State Road 2023.79+2.79Moderate
Sep 16, 2004Tide Station at Panama City Beach Pier (in MHHW)4.87+2.67Moderate
Feb 12, 2018Econfina Creek at State Road 2023.51+2.51Moderate
Dec 3, 2018Econfina Creek at State Road 2023.49+2.49Moderate
Apr 2, 1948Econfina Creek near Bennett13.07+2.47Moderate
Jul 10, 2005Tide Station at Panama City Marina (in MHHW)4.25+2.25Moderate
Sep 16, 2020Deer Point Lake at Deer Point Dam (in NAVD88)8.48+1.98Moderate
Jun 10, 1989Econfina Creek near Bennett12.11+1.51Moderate
May 4, 2010Econfina Creek near Bennett12.11+1.51Moderate
Feb 12, 2018Econfina Creek near Bennett11.92+1.32Moderate
Dec 3, 2018Econfina Creek near Bennett11.83+1.23Moderate

River gauges

River gauges and their highest listed crests
Bear Creek at US 23123.029.54 ftSep 16, 20201
Cooks Bayou at Parker Branch (in MHHW)2.0——0
Deer Point Lake at Deer Point Dam (in NAVD88)6.58.48 ftSep 16, 20200
East Bay at Callaway Bayou (in MHHW)2.03.10 ftSep 27, 20240
East Bay at Watson Bayou Pier (in MHHW)3.02.87 ftSep 27, 20240
Econfina Creek at State Road 2021.026.17 ftOct 12, 20180
Econfina Creek near Bennett10.615.61 ftSep 1, 19260
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)4.05.01 ftSep 27, 20240
Tide Station at Mexico Beach (in MHHW)3.0——0
Tide Station at Panama City Beach Pier (in MHHW)2.26.63 ftOct 4, 19951
Tide Station at Panama City Marina (in MHHW)2.05.72 ftOct 4, 19952
Tide Station at St Andrews State Park Pier (in MHHW)2.53.05 ftSep 27, 20240
  1. 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.

High tide flooding days per year at Panama City 1973: 0 1974: 1 1980: 0 1981: 0 1982: 0 1983: 0 1984: 0 1985: 5 1986: 0 1987: 0 1988: 0 1989: 0 1990: 0 1991: 0 1992: 2 1993: 0 1994: 2 1995: 2 1996: 0 1998: 3 1999: 0 2000: 0 2001: 0 2002: 2 2004: 2 2005: 7 2006: 0 2007: 0 2008: 3 2009: 2 2010: 0 2011: 1 2012: 2 2013: 0 2014: 0 2015: 3 2016: 3 2017: 2 2018: 5 2019: 2 2020: 9 9 2021: 4 2022: 2 2023: 4 2024: 4 2025: 0 19731988199920102020
Days at or above NOAA’s minor high tide flooding threshold, each meteorological year (May to April) from 1920. Years with less than 80 percent of data are left out.

Other tide gauges here: Panama City Beach (record 11 days, 2020).

  1. 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.

Months in severe drought or worse, by year 1895: 0 1896: 0 1897: 0 1898: 3 1899: 0 1900: 0 1901: 0 1902: 0 1903: 0 1904: 0 1905: 0 1906: 0 1907: 0 1908: 1 1909: 5 1910: 0 1911: 0 1912: 0 1913: 0 1914: 2 1915: 0 1916: 0 1917: 0 1918: 4 1919: 0 1920: 0 1921: 0 1922: 0 1923: 0 1924: 0 1925: 1 1926: 0 1927: 1 1928: 0 1929: 0 1930: 0 1931: 1 1932: 0 1933: 2 1934: 4 1935: 0 1936: 0 1937: 0 1938: 0 1939: 1 1940: 0 1941: 0 1942: 0 1943: 0 1944: 0 1945: 0 1946: 0 1947: 0 1948: 0 1949: 0 1950: 0 1951: 0 1952: 0 1953: 0 1954: 5 1955: 12 12 1956: 6 1957: 2 1958: 0 1959: 0 1960: 0 1961: 0 1962: 0 1963: 3 1964: 0 1965: 0 1966: 0 1967: 0 1968: 4 1969: 0 1970: 0 1971: 0 1972: 0 1973: 0 1974: 0 1975: 0 1976: 0 1977: 0 1978: 0 1979: 0 1980: 0 1981: 0 1982: 0 1983: 0 1984: 0 1985: 2 1986: 0 1987: 0 1988: 0 1989: 0 1990: 4 1991: 0 1992: 0 1993: 0 1994: 0 1995: 0 1996: 0 1997: 0 1998: 1 1999: 0 2000: 6 2001: 4 2002: 2 2003: 0 2004: 0 2005: 0 2006: 4 2007: 7 2008: 0 2009: 0 2010: 0 2011: 8 2012: 5 2013: 0 2014: 0 2015: 0 2016: 0 2017: 0 2018: 0 2019: 1 2020: 3 2021: 0 2022: 0 2023: 0 2024: 0 2025: 0 18951905191519251935194519551965197519851995200520152025
Months each year with a Palmer index of −3 or lower, 1895 to 2025. Twelve means the whole year.
  1. 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.

Tsunamis recorded here
Apr 23, 2020Gulf Of Mexico1.610
  1. 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

Other Storm Events types since 1996
Rip currents637016May 7, 2026
High surf and sneaker waves330Jun 17, 2018
Storm surge and tide1240Oct 10, 2018
Lightning23510Apr 27, 2023
Dense fog and smoke110Mar 1, 2016

Costliest events since 1996

  1. 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…

  2. 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…

  3. 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…

  4. 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…

  5. 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…

  6. 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…

  7. 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…

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  1. 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
Average monthly high and low temperature and precipitation, last 30 years, Wewahitchka 32°F 64° 40° 3.7 Jan 68° 44° 4.5 Feb 73° 49° 4.7 Mar 79° 55° 4.5 Apr 85° 63° 4.0 May 89° 70° 7.1 Jun 90° 72° 8.3 Jul 90° 72° 7.5 Aug 87° 68° 7.4 Sep 80° 58° 2.6 Oct 72° 48° 3.2 Nov 67° 44° 4.4 Dec Precipitation, inches
Average daily high and low by month, and average monthly precipitation, over the last 30 years.
Days reaching 95°F per year 1976: 21 1977: 38 1978: 12 1988: 5 1989: 19 1990: 24 1991: 4 1992: 6 1993: 11 1994: 0 1995: 15 1996: 4 1998: 52 52 1999: 15 2001: 5 2003: 1 2005: 4 2006: 24 2007: 9 2008: 2 2009: 4 2012: 4 2014: 2 2015: 11 2016: 4 2019: 8 2021: 0 2022: 5 2024: 14 2025: 6 197619952009
Days reaching 95°F each complete year, last 50 years. Thirty-year average: 9.2.
Snowfall by winter 1976: 0.2 in 0.2 1978: 0.0 in 1979: 0.0 in 1981: 0.0 in 1984: 0.0 in 1986: 0.0 in 1987: 0.0 in 1988: 0.0 in 1989: 0.0 in 1990: 0.0 in 1991: 0.0 in 1992: 0.0 in 1993: 0.0 in 1994: 0.0 in 1995: 0.0 in 1996: 0.0 in 1997: 0.0 in 1998: 0.0 in 1999: 0.0 in 2000: 0.0 in 2002: 0.0 in 2003: 0.0 in 2004: 0.0 in 2005: 0.0 in 2006: 0.0 in 2007: 0.0 in 2008: 0.0 in 2009: 0.0 in 2016: 0.0 in 2019: 0.0 in 2021: 0.0 in 2022: 0.0 in 2023: 0.0 in 2024: 0.0 in 2025: 0.0 in 1976199120022021
Total snowfall each winter (July to June), last 50 winters.

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.

Federal disaster declarations
Oct 27, 2026HurricaneHurricane IsaiasMajor disasterDR-4955-FL
Oct 9, 2026Tropical StormHurricane IsaiasEmergencyEM-3655-FL
Sep 28, 2024HurricaneHurricane HeleneMajor disasterDR-4828-FL
Sep 24, 2024Tropical StormTropical Storm HeleneEmergencyEM-3615-FL
Aug 10, 2024Tropical StormHurricane DebbyMajor disasterDR-4806-FL
Aug 3, 2024Tropical StormTropical Storm DebbyEmergencyEM-3605-FL
Aug 31, 2023HurricaneHurricane IdaliaMajor disasterDR-4734-FL
Aug 28, 2023Tropical StormTropical Storm IdaliaEmergencyEM-3596-FL
Sep 29, 2022HurricaneHurricane IanMajor disasterDR-4673-FL
Sep 24, 2022HurricaneTropical Storm IanEmergencyEM-3584-FL
Mar 6, 2022FireChipola Fire ComplexFire managementFM-5426-FL
Mar 4, 2022Fire1707 Adkins Ave FireFire managementFM-5424-FL
Aug 16, 2021HurricaneTropical Storm FredEmergencyEM-3562-FL
Sep 23, 2020HurricaneHurricane SallyMajor disasterDR-4564-FL
Sep 15, 2020HurricaneHurricane SallyEmergencyEM-3546-FL
Mar 25, 2020BiologicalCovid-19 PandemicMajor disasterDR-4486-FL
Mar 13, 2020BiologicalCovid-19EmergencyEM-3432-FL
Aug 30, 2019HurricaneHurricane DorianEmergencyEM-3419-FL
Oct 11, 2018HurricaneHurricane MichaelMajor disasterDR-4399-FL
Oct 9, 2018HurricaneHurricane MichaelEmergencyEM-3405-FL
Sep 10, 2017HurricaneHurricane IrmaMajor disasterDR-4337-FL
Sep 5, 2017HurricaneHurricane IrmaEmergencyEM-3385-FL
May 6, 2014Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and FloodingMajor disasterDR-4177-FL
Aug 2, 2013Severe StormSevere Storms and FloodingMajor disasterDR-4138-FL
Oct 18, 2012HurricaneHurricane IsaacMajor disasterDR-4084-FL
Apr 21, 2009Severe StormSevere Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line WindsMajor disasterDR-1831-FL
Oct 27, 2008HurricaneHurricane GustavMajor disasterDR-1806-FL
Aug 21, 2008Severe StormTropical Storm FayEmergencyEM-3288-FL
Sep 5, 2005HurricaneHurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergencyEM-3220-FL
Aug 28, 2005HurricaneHurricane KatrinaMajor disasterDR-1602-FL
Jul 10, 2005HurricaneHurricane DennisMajor disasterDR-1595-FL
Sep 16, 2004HurricaneHurricane IvanMajor disasterDR-1551-FL
Sep 4, 2004HurricaneHurricane FrancesMajor disasterDR-1545-FL
Aug 13, 2004HurricaneTropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane CharleyMajor disasterDR-1539-FL
Jun 17, 2001Severe StormTropical Storm AllisonMajor disasterDR-1381-FL
Oct 3, 2000Severe StormTropical Storm HeleneMajor disasterDR-1344-FL
Apr 27, 1999FireFl-Fires 04/15/99EmergencyEM-3139-FL
Apr 17, 1999FireFl-Fires 04/13/99Fire managementFM-2255-FL
Sep 28, 1998HurricaneHurricane GeorgesMajor disasterDR-1249-FL
Sep 25, 1998HurricaneHurricane GrorgesEmergencyEM-3131-FL
Sep 4, 1998HurricaneHurricane EarlMajor disasterDR-1241-FL
Jun 18, 1998FireExtreme Fire HazardMajor disasterDR-1223-FL
Jan 6, 1998Severe StormSevere Storms, High Winds, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disasterDR-1195-FL
Oct 4, 1995HurricaneHurricane OpalMajor disasterDR-1069-FL
Aug 10, 1995HurricaneHurricane ErinMajor disasterDR-1062-FL
Jul 10, 1994Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding (Tropical Storm Alberto)Major disasterDR-1035-FL
Jul 8, 1994FloodTropical Storm AlbertoEmergencyEM-3114-FL
Apr 3, 1990FloodSevere Storms & FloodingMajor disasterDR-862-FL
Sep 13, 1979HurricaneHurricane FredericMajor disasterDR-600-FL
Sep 26, 1975FloodHigh Winds, Heavy Rains & FloodingMajor disasterDR-484-FL
Aug 22, 1975FloodFloodingMajor disasterDR-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.