Enter any address in Okaloosa County, Florida to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall is the most frequent flood event in Okaloosa County, accounting for 65 occurrences in the last 30 years. Recent examples include widespread flash flooding on April 30, 2024, and flooding caused by very heavy rain on July 14, 2023. Tropical storms and coastal flooding have also impacted the area.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $36,050 and an average water depth of 3.7 feet. Zone V properties have also seen significant claims with an average payout of $37,634 and an average water depth of 4.1 feet. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED with its higher average payout, should be particularly aware of their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
21 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Okaloosa County, Florida has recorded 78 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 65 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 41 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1970–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Helene | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 23, 2024 |
| Hurricane Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 1, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 1, 2024 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2022 |
| Tropical Storm Ian | Hurricane | Sep 23, 2022 |
| Tropical Storm Fred | Hurricane | Aug 13, 2021 |
| Hurricane Sally | Hurricane | Sep 14, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 24, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 21, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 20, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Jun 19, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 9, 2025
Heavy rain caused flooding in the western Florida panhandle.
Flash Flood — Apr 30, 2024
Heavy rainfall due to thunderstorms occurred across Okaloosa County on 4/30 resulting in areas of flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2023
Thunderstorms developed across the Florida panhandle and produced very heavy rain that caused flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 5, 2023
Heavy rain caused flooding around Fort Walton Beach.
Flash Flood — Aug 31, 2021
Heavy rain caused flash flooding in the western Florida panhandle.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Okaloosa County, Florida:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Okaloosa County, Florida that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.