FL

Storm restoration across Washington County

Washington County sits in Florida's inland Panhandle, roughly 50 miles from the Gulf Coast, placing it outside direct storm surge reach but squarely in the path of hurricane-force winds and torrential rainfall from landfalling Gulf storms. Hurricane Michael (October 2018, Category 5 at landfall in neighboring Bay County) delivered 6-10 inches of rain across eastern Washington County and caused widespread wind damage to structures, timber, and power infrastructure throughout the county. The county has a confirmed history of significant tornado activity, with 31 recorded tornadoes from 1936 to 2024 including an EF3 in March 2022 with 150 mph winds that destroyed homes along Gilberts Mill Road, and a 2001 F2 that destroyed 20 homes in the Sunny Hills community; peak tornado months are January, March, October, and November. Inland flash flooding from heavy rainfall associated with both tropical systems and seasonal thunderstorm complexes poses an additional recurring hazard, compounded by the county's rolling pine terrain and limited drainage infrastructure.