Hurricane Risk for Panama City, FL
No tropical storms currently threaten the Panama City area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1851, 180 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Panama City. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Helene (2024)
Passed within 117 miles of Panama City on September 27, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 4 (138 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Unnamed (1935)
Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 136 miles of Panama City.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1929)
Passed just 4.1 miles from Panama City on October 01, 1929.
When hurricanes hit Panama City
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1851:
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
Sign Up FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Panama City residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helene | 2024 | Cat 4 | 117 mi | Sep 27, 2024 |
| Debby | 2024 | Cat 1 | 128 mi | Aug 05, 2024 |
| Idalia | 2023 | Cat 4 | 118 mi | Aug 30, 2023 |
| Nicole | 2022 | Cat 1 | 95 mi | Nov 11, 2022 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 131 mi | Jul 07, 2021 |
| Sally | 2020 | Cat 2 | 113 mi | Sep 16, 2020 |
| Eta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 178 mi | Nov 12, 2020 |
| Barry | 2019 | Cat 1 | 126 mi | Jul 10, 2019 |
| Michael | 2018 | Cat 5 | 14 mi | Oct 10, 2018 |
| Irma | 2017 | Cat 5 | 138 mi | Sep 11, 2017 |
| Nate | 2017 | Cat 1 | 195 mi | Oct 08, 2017 |
| Hermine | 2016 | Cat 1 | 93 mi | Sep 02, 2016 |
| Ida | 2009 | Cat 2 | 45 mi | Nov 11, 2009 |
| Paloma | 2008 | Cat 4 | 87 mi | Nov 14, 2008 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Panama City is in Bay County — look up your evacuation zone here.
- Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.