NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Defuniak Springs, 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
68 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Defuniak Springs, Florida since 1851, 25 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Fred in 2021. Since 1950, 98 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 2 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 25
- Tropical storms
- 43
- Tornadoes
- 98
- EF3 or stronger
- 2
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
1 deaths in all
What the records show for Defuniak Springs
The strongest storm to pass near Defuniak Springs was Michael in 2018, a Category 4 hurricane with 151 mph winds when its centre passed 56 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1896, whose centre came within 2 miles. The record near Defuniak Springs begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Fred in 2021, a tropical storm 44 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 8 systems, 2 of them at hurricane strength. Of the 68 systems, 10 have come since 2000. Defuniak Springs has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 48% of the 407 Florida cities on this site. The highest rating among the 98 tornadoes within 25 miles is F3, reached 2 times; the most recent, on December 10, 1967, came within 9 miles. The deadliest, an F2 on May 26, 1973, killed 1 person. Of the 98, 12 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 45 have come since 2000. January and May have had the most tornadoes, 14 each. The most recent tornado was on May 10, 2025. Of the 407 Florida cities, 71% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Defuniak Springs. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 25 times since 1972, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 407 Florida cities, 71% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Defuniak Springs.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Defuniak Springs
Of the 68 tracks on the map, 28 were moving northeast as they passed Defuniak Springs, 17 north and 13 northwest. Michael (2018), the strongest pass, was heading northeast and came ashore 62 miles southeast of Defuniak Springs. Within 75 miles of Defuniak Springs, 48 of the 68 came ashore, 24 of them as hurricanes. In the last 30 seasons (1996–2025), 11 came near Defuniak Springs: 3.7 a decade, against 3.9 a decade from 1851 to 1995.
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | FredAug 17 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2020 | SallySep 16 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 2 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 19 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 10 | 56 mi | Category 4 (151 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2018 | AlbertoMay 28 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2009 | ClaudetteAug 17 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | FayAug 23 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2005 | DennisJul 10 | 61 mi | Category 3 (121 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2001 | BarryAug 6 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2000 | HeleneSep 22 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1998 | EarlSep 3 | 49 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1995 | OpalOct 4 | 44 mi | Category 1 (94 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1995 | ErinAug 3 | 63 mi | Category 2 (97 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1994 | BerylAug 16 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1994 | AlbertoJul 3 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1985 | KateNov 21 | 66 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1975 | EloiseSep 23 | 5 mi | Category 3 (120 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 19 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1970 | BeckyJul 22 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1969 | Unnamed 1969 stormOct 1 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 15 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | HildaOct 5 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1957 | DebbieSep 8 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1956 | FlossySep 25 | 13 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1953 | FlorenceSep 26 | 3 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1953 | AliceJun 6 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1948 | Unnamed 1948 stormJul 9 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1939 | Unnamed 1939 stormAug 13 | 26 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1937 | Unnamed 1937 stormAug 31 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1936 | Unnamed 1936 stormJul 31 | 35 mi | Category 2 (101 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormOct 6 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 1 | 44 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 14 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1926 | Unnamed 1926 stormSep 20 | 58 mi | Category 3 (121 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1919 | Unnamed 1919 stormJul 4 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1917 | Unnamed 1917 stormSep 29 | 4 mi | Category 2 (96 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormOct 18 | 71 mi | Category 2 (97 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormSep 4 | 46 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1914 | Unnamed 1914 stormSep 18 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1911 | Unnamed 1911 stormAug 11 | 75 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormSep 28 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 28 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1906 | Unnamed 1906 stormJun 13 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormNov 3 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 14 | 19 mi | Category 1 (76 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormOct 11 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 17 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormAug 2 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1898 | Unnamed 1898 stormAug 3 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormJul 7 | 2 mi | Category 1 (92 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 9 | 51 mi | Category 3 (121 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 23 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormOct 19 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormJul 27 | 14 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormSep 28 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormSep 21 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormAug 30 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 10 | 16 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1880 | Unnamed 1880 stormAug 31 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormOct 16 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 10 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 3 | 62 mi | Category 3 (115 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormSep 19 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1875 | Unnamed 1875 stormSep 27 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1868 | Unnamed 1868 stormOct 4 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1860 | Unnamed 1860 stormAug 12 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 31 | 35 mi | Category 2 (100 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 23 | 47 mi | Category 3 (112 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Defuniak Springs: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Check hail and hurricane history for any address
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Defuniak Springs
By decade
- 2020s25
- 2010s9
- 2000s11
- 1990s15
- 1980s16
- 1970s15
- 1960s7(2 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 10, 1967 | F3 | 9 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Dec 25, 1964 | F3 | 21 mi | 12.8 mi | 0 / 4 |
| May 26, 1973 | F2 | 12 mi | 105.4 mi | 1 / 4 |
| May 10, 2025 | EF2 | 23 mi | 15.48 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Jan 22, 2023 | EF2 | 23 mi | 0.78 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Dec 1, 1996 | F2 | 22 mi | 0.4 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Feb 1, 1983 | F2 | 13 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Apr 12, 1980 | F2 | 22 mi | 31.1 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Dec 10, 1967 | F2 | 22 mi | 9.9 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 28, 1963 | F2 | 5 mi | 5.6 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 30, 1963 | F2 | 5 mi | 61 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 30, 1960 | F2 | 12 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 98, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Defuniak Springs
The Storm Prediction Center has 25 hail reports within 10 miles of Defuniak Springs since 1972, made on 22 separate days. Of these, 15 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 4 days, most recently May 25, 2014. The most recent report is from January 9, 2024. April and May have the most reports, 5 each.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Defuniak Springs
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is De Funiak Springs 1 E, FL, 3 miles east of Defuniak Springs at 245 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 92°F and low of 72°F; January is the coolest, at 62°F and 40°F. July is the wettest at 7.5 inches of precipitation on average and October the driest at 3.6 inches; the year adds up to 64.7 inches over 80 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 55% of the year's precipitation (35.6 of 64.7 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 68 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (20); a normal September there has highs of 88°F and 6.0 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 85 days a year, almost all from May to October. Lows fall below freezing on about 26 nights a year. That 64.7 inches is more than at 111 of the 125 Florida stations used on this site (89%). Westville, 17 miles northeast, has its own station (Geneva #2, AL): 62.3 inches a year, 2.4 less than here, and the same July average high, 92°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62 | 40 | 5.0 | 6 |
| Feb | 66 | 43 | 5.1 | 6 |
| Mar | 73 | 48 | 5.2 | 6 |
| Apr | 79 | 54 | 4.3 | 5 |
| May | 86 | 63 | 4.0 | 5 |
| Jun | 90 | 70 | 7.1 | 9 |
| Jul | 92 | 72 | 7.5 | 10 |
| Aug | 91 | 72 | 7.0 | 11 |
| Sep | 88 | 67 | 6.0 | 7 |
| Oct | 81 | 57 | 3.6 | 4 |
| Nov | 71 | 47 | 4.4 | 5 |
| Dec | 64 | 42 | 5.5 | 6 |
| Year | 79 | 56 | 64.7 | 80 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at De Funiak Springs 1 E, FL (245 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 Defuniak Springs
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 180 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Defuniak Springs: 138 thunderstorm wind reports, 18 flash floods, 15 floods, 6 heavy rain events and 3 lightning strikes. They killed 0 people and injured 2, and the NWS estimated $1.1 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 69 mph, on November 15, 2006. September has had the most flash floods, 9 of 18. Of the 277 Florida cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 217 have had fewer than Defuniak Springs.
May 10, 2021: lightning strike 4 miles from the centre of Defuniak Springs — 2 injured, $2,000 damage.
NWS: “An accident occurred on I-10 near mile marker 81 due to lightning striking the road and sending debris through the windshield of a pickup truck. Two injuries resulted.”
August 18, 2013: flood 6 miles from the centre of Defuniak Springs — $500,000 damage.
NWS: “Due to recent heavy rainfall and increased water flow on Bruce Creek, the bridge at Indian Creek Ranch Road has been displaced. Monetary damage was estimated.”
April 29, 2004: thunderstorm wind 7 miles from the centre of Defuniak Springs — $200,000 damage.
NWS: “Numerous downed trees, with some falling on vehicles and houses. Roofs were blown off several mobiles homes and barns.”
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 Defuniak Springs's 2 ZIP codes have filed 29 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1985, and were paid $506,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. 66% 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, 42 have fewer than Defuniak Springs.
Walton County, which includes Defuniak Springs, has been named in 43 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1975, 25 of them major disasters (by incident: 22 hurricanes, 6 severe storms, 5 fires, 4 floods). The latest major disaster declaration was Hurricane Helene, on September 28, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Walton County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively High for hurricanes and lightning; Relatively Moderate for tornadoes and coastal flooding; Relatively Low for inland flooding, strong wind and heat waves; Very Low for hail. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $68.4 million a year, the 33rd highest of 67 Florida counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $47.3 million (69%), 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 Defuniak Springs
- Ponce De Leon, FL11 mi
- Freeport, FL16 mi
- Westville, FL17 mi
- Vernon, FL21 mi
- Niceville, FL24 mi
- Laurel Hill, FL24 mi
- Crestview, FL24 mi
- Santa Rosa Beach, FL24 mi
- Valparaiso, FL25 mi
- Florala, AL26 mi
- Miramar Beach, FL26 mi
- Samson, AL27 mi
All Florida cities →All hurricanes since 1851 →Compare Defuniak Springs with another place →