Storm Surge and Flood Risk Information Center
Water, not wind, causes most hurricane deaths. Here is how storm surge, rain flooding and river flooding work in Pensacola — and how to find out how much water could reach your street.
Why Pensacola is so exposed to storm surge
Storm surge is the dome of ocean water a hurricane pushes ashore. Along the northern Gulf, a broad, shallow continental shelf lets surge build higher than it would on a steep coast. Pensacola adds a second problem: a chain of bays — Pensacola Bay, Escambia Bay, East Bay, Blackwater Bay, Big Lagoon and Santa Rosa Sound — that pile water up as a storm's winds blow in from the south and southeast.
The result is that a hurricane does not have to hit Pensacola directly to flood it. Ivan's eye made landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama, but its onshore winds drove a surge of roughly 10 to 15 feet into Escambia County. Waterfront neighborhoods along Bayou Texar, Bayou Chico, Bayou Grande, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key flooded, and surge plus waves knocked spans of the I-10 Escambia Bay Bridge off their supports.
Three kinds of hurricane flooding
Storm surge
Seawater pushed ashore over hours. Fastest and deadliest. Drives evacuation zones.
Rainfall flooding
Slow storms like Sally overwhelm drainage. Hits areas far from the water.
River flooding
The Escambia, Blackwater, Yellow and Perdido rivers crest days after a storm.
Find your surge and flood risk
- Your evacuation zone is the quickest surge indicator. Check it here.
- NHC Potential Storm Surge Flooding map — issued when a storm threatens, shows forecast feet of water above ground. Linked from the storm's page on our tracker.
- FEMA flood maps — your official flood zone (VE, AE, X) for insurance and building, at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
- NOAA's SLOSH surge maps show worst-case surge by hurricane category — the basis for evacuation zones. See the National Storm Surge Hazard Maps.
Flood zones in plain English
| FEMA zone | What it means | Flood insurance required? |
|---|---|---|
| VE | Coastal high-hazard area with wave action of 3 ft or more (Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Navarre Beach) | Yes, for federally backed mortgages |
| AE / A | 1% annual chance of flooding (“100-year floodplain”) along bays, bayous and rivers | Yes, for federally backed mortgages |
| X (shaded) | 0.2% annual chance (“500-year”) | No, but strongly recommended |
| X (unshaded) | Lower risk | No — yet a large share of flood claims come from outside high-risk zones |
Flood insurance in Pensacola
A homeowners policy does not cover flood or storm surge. Flood coverage comes from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer. Things to know:
- NFIP policies generally take 30 days to take effect, so you cannot buy coverage when a storm is already in the Gulf.
- NFIP building coverage tops out at $250,000 and contents at $100,000. Basements and below-elevated-floor areas have limited coverage.
- Flood and wind adjusters often disagree on what caused the damage after a surge event. Photos showing water lines and wind damage separately are critical. See our claims center.
- Escambia County, Santa Rosa County and the City of Pensacola participate in FEMA's Community Rating System, which lowers NFIP premiums for residents.
Protecting your home from flooding
- Know your home's elevation relative to base flood elevation — an elevation certificate can lower NFIP premiums.
- Elevate HVAC units, water heaters and electrical panels above expected flood levels.
- Keep storm drains and ditches in front of your home clear before the season.
- Before a storm, move valuables, documents and electronics upstairs or onto high shelves, and shut off electricity if water is expected to enter.
- After a flood, never touch electrical equipment while standing in water, and treat all floodwater as contaminated.