Okaloosa County on the Florida Panhandle hosts Eglin Air Force Base — the world's largest Air Force base by land area — and Hurlburt Field home of Air Force Special Operations Command. Hurricane Michael devastated neighboring Bay County in 2018 and caused significant damage in Okaloosa. The Panhandle faces direct Gulf hurricane exposure. Fort Walton Beach and Destin resort communities draw massive summer tourism creating seasonal population surge emergency planning requirements.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 7 / 10 High Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Hurricane / Storm Surge |
| Secondary Hazard | Military Proximity |
| FEMA Flood Zone | High |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 8 |
| Last Major Event | Michael 2018 |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (850) 651-7550 |
| Emergency Shelters | 10 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | US-98 I-10 FL-85 FL-293 |
// County Profile
| County | Okaloosa County FL |
| State | Florida (FL) |
| Population | 216 |
| Area | 936 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | High |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other Florida Counties
Monroe County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
10/10
Critical
Miami-Dade County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Pinellas County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Bay County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Lee County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Charlotte County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical