Photo: Wikilester1999 · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Natchez
Natchez isn’t graded for hazard risk: Natchez has 351 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2009.
What Natchez faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Hurricanes
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.
Does Natchez flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Natchez, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late winter severe storms2 claims · $24K
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $2K
- Hurricane Delta1 claim · $6K
Natchez isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Natchitoches Parish.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Natchez
Disasters that paid out in Natchez itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Natchez), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms9 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura220 households applied for aid$195K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding116 households applied for aid$159K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Natchitoches Parish has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Natchitoches Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Natchez after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Natchez archive →Get ready for what Natchez faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Natchez
Does Natchez flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Natchez since 2009, $51K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (2).
Is Natchez 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 Natchitoches Parish, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Natchez?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Natchez’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 Natchez?
By FEMA money that reached Natchez, Hurricane Laura (2020): 220 households applied for aid, $195K approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 2 paid, $24K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Natchez.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Natchez’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.