Hurricane Risk for Panama City, FL
INVEST 97L is currently 297 mi from Panama City.
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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.
Local note: Panama City's low-lying Gulf-front location and nearby shallow continental shelf make storm surge the dominant threat, as seen with devastating surge and wind impacts from Hurricane Michael (2018) and successive strong Gulf hurricanes including Idalia (2023).
By the numbers
Total storms
180
since 1851
Major (Cat 3+)
39
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
98
all categories
County
Bay County
Florida
Most recent hurricane
Helene (2024)
Passed within 117 miles of Panama City on September 27, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 4 (138 mph).
The full risk breakdown for Panama City
See the strongest and closest hurricanes ever to pass nearby, the month-by-month climatology of when storms hit Panama City, the notable storms of the last 20 years, and any active-storm threat — plus free location-based alerts.
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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.