Panama City Beach Hurricane History, Year by Year

The 30 hurricanes came in 28 different seasons. The median wait from one hurricane season to the next was 5 years; the longest, 16 years, ran from 1956 to 1972. 2 seasons brought two or more: 1985 (Elena and Kate) and 1995 (Erin and Opal). In the last 30 seasons (1996–2025) 3 passed within 75 miles of Panama City Beach at hurricane strength, against 6 in the 30 before (1966–1995) and 5.5 per 30 seasons from 1851 to 1965, when ships and coastal stations missed more storms.

11 came in September, 7 came in October and 5 came in August. The earliest in the season was Agnes, on June 19; the latest, Kate, on November 21.

15 of the 30 passed with Panama City Beach on their right-hand side, where wind and surge are usually strongest, and 14 with the city on the left; 1 passed within 5 miles of the city centre. The strongest right-side pass was Eloise (1975), a Category 3 hurricane 29 miles west of Panama City Beach. The strongest at their closest point: Michael (2018, Category 5, 159 mph, 23 miles away), Eloise (1975, Category 3, 127 mph, 29 miles away) and Dennis (2005, Category 3, 127 mph, 67 miles away).

Of the 6 cities compared here, Destin has the most hurricane passes within 75 miles (31) and Fort Walton Beach the fewest (28); Panama City Beach ranks 2nd. Port St Joe, 38 miles southeast, shares the fewest: 23 of its 30 hurricanes also passed within 75 miles of Panama City Beach at hurricane strength.