Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Mayo than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mayo gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (54%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1983.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Mayo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mayo faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Mayo’s grade
Hurricanes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mayo, and Mayo’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mayo’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $766K a year in losses across Mayo: $537K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mayo flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mayo, from FEMA’s records: 47.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mayo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lafayette County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mayo
Disasters that paid out in Mayo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Mayo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene860 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$18K to the Town of Mayo for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby458 households applied for aid$881K aid approved$6K to the Town of Mayo for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia1,595 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$48K to the Town of Mayo for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma814 households applied for aid$271K aid approved$17K to the Town of Mayo for repairs
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby38 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds42 households applied for aid$83K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne61 households applied for aid$71K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Lafayette County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lafayette County, 2000–2001.
Old photos of Mayo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mayo archive →Get ready for what Mayo faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Mayo
Is Mayo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mayo has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (54%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mayo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Mayo since 1983, $601K in all, or 47.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Mayo in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Lafayette County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mayo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mayo’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Mayo?
By FEMA money that reached Mayo, Hurricane Helene (2024): 860 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $18K to the Town of Mayo for repairs.
Is Mayo at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Mayo’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mayo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mayo’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.