NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Bonifay, FL
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
65 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Bonifay, Florida since 1851, 16 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Fred in 2021. Since 1950, 100 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 1 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 16
- Tropical storms
- 49
- Tornadoes
- 100
- EF3 or stronger
- 1
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
6 deaths in all
What the records show for Bonifay
The strongest storm to pass near Bonifay was Michael in 2018, a Category 4 hurricane with 137 mph winds when its centre passed 37 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1903, whose centre came within 10 miles. The record near Bonifay begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Fred in 2021, a tropical storm 16 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1900s, with 8 systems, one of them at hurricane strength. Of the 65 systems, 9 have come since 2000. Of the 407 Florida cities on this site, 89% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Bonifay. The strongest of the 100 tornadoes within 25 miles was an EF3 on March 31, 2022; its path came within 17 miles, and it killed 2 people. Of the 100, 10 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 60 have come since 2000. March has had the most tornadoes, 16. The most recent tornado was on May 10, 2025. Of the 407 Florida cities, 70% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Bonifay. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 19 times since 1995, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 407 Florida cities, 80% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Bonifay.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Bonifay
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | FredAug 17 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2019 | NestorOct 19 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 10 | 37 mi | Category 4 (137 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2018 | AlbertoMay 28 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2009 | ClaudetteAug 17 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | FayAug 23 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | FrancesSep 7 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2001 | BarryAug 6 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2000 | HeleneSep 22 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1998 | EarlSep 3 | 38 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1995 | OpalOct 5 | 67 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1994 | BerylAug 16 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1994 | AlbertoJul 3 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1985 | KateNov 22 | 55 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1975 | EloiseSep 23 | 30 mi | Category 3 (115 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 20 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1970 | BeckyJul 22 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1969 | Unnamed 1969 stormOct 1 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 15 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | HildaOct 5 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1964 | DoraSep 11 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1957 | DebbieSep 8 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1956 | FlossySep 25 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1953 | FlorenceSep 26 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1953 | AliceJun 6 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1948 | Unnamed 1948 stormJul 9 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1941 | Unnamed 1941 stormOct 7 | 73 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1939 | Unnamed 1939 stormAug 13 | 51 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1937 | Unnamed 1937 stormAug 31 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1936 | Unnamed 1936 stormJul 31 | 63 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 1 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 14 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 10 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1917 | Unnamed 1917 stormSep 29 | 16 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormSep 4 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1914 | Unnamed 1914 stormSep 18 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormSep 28 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 29 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1906 | Unnamed 1906 stormJun 13 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormNov 3 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 14 | 10 mi | Category 1 (76 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormOct 11 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 28 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 17 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormAug 2 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1898 | Unnamed 1898 stormAug 3 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormJul 7 | 17 mi | Category 1 (85 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 9 | 42 mi | Category 3 (114 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 23 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormOct 20 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormJul 27 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormSep 21 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormAug 31 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 10 | 30 mi | Category 1 (90 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1880 | Unnamed 1880 stormAug 31 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormOct 16 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 10 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 3 | 53 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormSep 20 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1875 | Unnamed 1875 stormSep 27 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormAug 26 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1868 | Unnamed 1868 stormOct 4 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1860 | Unnamed 1860 stormAug 12 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 31 | 23 mi | Category 1 (93 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 23 | 32 mi | Category 2 (107 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Bonifay: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Bonifay
By decade
- 2020s22(1 EF3+)
- 2010s19
- 2000s19
- 1990s17
- 1980s9
- 1970s10
- 1960s4
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF3 | 17 mi | 12.14 mi | 2 / 1 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 6 mi | 34.76 mi | 1 / 10 |
| Mar 15, 2001 | F2 | 18 mi | 10 mi | 1 / 21 |
| Dec 16, 2000 | F2 | 18 mi | 4.5 mi | 1 / 9 |
| Jun 25, 1972 | F2 | 10 mi | 0.5 mi | 1 / 2 |
| May 10, 2025 | EF2 | 5 mi | 15.48 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Apr 23, 2020 | EF2 | 10 mi | 17.24 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jan 2, 2017 | EF2 | 21 mi | 7.82 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 15, 2001 | F2 | 21 mi | 3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Dec 16, 2000 | F2 | 4 mi | 3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 12, 1980 | F2 | 18 mi | 31.1 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Dec 10, 1967 | F2 | in town | 9.9 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 100, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Bonifay
The Storm Prediction Center has 19 hail reports within 10 miles of Bonifay since 1995, made on 17 separate days. Of these, 8 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 2 days, most recently March 26, 2005. The most recent report is from June 12, 2023. March has the most reports, 4.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Bonifay
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Chipley, FL, 8 miles southeast of Bonifay at 130 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 93°F and low of 72°F; January is the coolest, at 64°F and 39°F. July is the wettest at 7.2 inches of precipitation on average and October the driest at 3.7 inches; the year adds up to 61.0 inches over 82 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 51% of the year's precipitation (30.9 of 61.0 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 65 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (20); a normal September there has highs of 89°F and 4.2 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 98 days a year, almost all from April to October. Lows fall below freezing on about 31 nights a year. That 61.0 inches is more than at 95 of the 125 Florida stations used on this site (76%). Westville, 16 miles west, has its own station (Geneva #2, AL): 62.3 inches a year, 1.3 more than here, and a July average high of 92°F against 93°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64 | 39 | 5.1 | 7 |
| Feb | 67 | 41 | 5.5 | 7 |
| Mar | 74 | 47 | 5.7 | 7 |
| Apr | 80 | 53 | 4.9 | 5 |
| May | 88 | 62 | 4.1 | 5 |
| Jun | 92 | 70 | 5.3 | 9 |
| Jul | 93 | 72 | 7.2 | 11 |
| Aug | 92 | 72 | 6.2 | 10 |
| Sep | 89 | 67 | 4.2 | 7 |
| Oct | 82 | 56 | 3.7 | 4 |
| Nov | 72 | 46 | 4.3 | 5 |
| Dec | 66 | 41 | 4.8 | 6 |
| Year | 80 | 56 | 61.0 | 82 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Chipley, FL (130 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Bonifay
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 272 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Bonifay: 174 thunderstorm wind reports, 52 flash floods, 42 floods, 3 heavy rain events and 1 lightning strike. They killed 0 people and injured 3, and the NWS estimated $7.7 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 81 mph, on April 18, 2020. September has had the most flash floods, 17 of 52. Of the 277 Florida cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 271 have had fewer than Bonifay.
April 29, 1996: thunderstorm wind 3 miles from the centre of Bonifay — 2 injured, $5,000 damage.
May 17, 2024: thunderstorm wind 9 miles from the centre of Bonifay — 1 injured, $50,000 damage.
April 30, 2014: flood 5 miles from the centre of Bonifay — $6.7 million damage.
NWS: “Major flooding occurred across Jackson county at the end of the month due to a combination of very heavy rainfall and already saturated conditions. Many roads in the county sustained damage with damage estimated at $6,691,424.”
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Flood insurance policyholders in Bonifay's ZIP code 32425 have filed 57 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1994, and were paid $1.4 million for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. The most came from Hurricane Sally in 2020: 19 claims (33% of all) and $954,000, then Tropical Storm Alberto in 1994 with 10. 60% of the claims carry the name of a storm or flood event; the rest have no event name. Of the 340 Florida cities on this site with 10 or more claims, 79 have fewer than Bonifay.
| Event | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Sally2020 | 19 | $954,000 |
| Tropical Storm Alberto1994 | 10 | $179,000 |
Holmes County, which includes Bonifay, has been named in 40 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1975, 24 of them major disasters (by incident: 20 hurricanes, 7 severe storms, 4 floods, 4 tropical storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Hurricane Helene, on September 28, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Holmes County a Relatively Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for hurricanes and lightning; Relatively Low for tornadoes, strong wind and heat waves; Very Low for hail and inland flooding. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $14.2 million a year, the 54th highest of 67 Florida counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $9.0 million (63%), is from hurricanes.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. 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).
Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets 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).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.
Cities near Bonifay
- Graceville, FL11 mi
- Chipley, FL15 mi
- Westville, FL16 mi
- Cottondale, FL17 mi
- Hartford, AL18 mi
- Geneva, AL19 mi
- Slocomb, AL19 mi
- Vernon, FL21 mi
- Ponce De Leon, FL21 mi
- Alford, FL22 mi
- Chancellor, AL26 mi
- Cottonwood, AL26 mi
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