Photo: Credit: Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History · Public domainAberdeen’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aberdeen gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #36 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1978.
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 Aberdeen’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Aberdeen 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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.
What’s behind Aberdeen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aberdeen, and Aberdeen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #36 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Aberdeen’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Mississippi town has higher expected damage than 64% of U.S. towns; within the state, Aberdeen has less expected damage per building than 65% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Aberdeen: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aberdeen flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aberdeen, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Aberdeen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aberdeen
Disasters that paid out in Aberdeen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Aberdeen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes373 households applied for aid$498K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$94K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding108 households applied for aid$162K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes and High Winds98 households applied for aid$198K aid approved
Monroe County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Aberdeen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aberdeen archive →Get ready for what Aberdeen 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Aberdeen
Is Aberdeen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aberdeen has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #36 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Aberdeen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Aberdeen since 1978, $160K in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Aberdeen 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 Monroe County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aberdeen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aberdeen’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 Aberdeen?
By FEMA money that reached Aberdeen, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 373 households applied for aid, $498K approved.
Is Aberdeen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Aberdeen’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aberdeen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aberdeen’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.