Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Fingers-of-Pyrex~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA puts Amory’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amory gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #60 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1982.
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 Amory’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Amory 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
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 Amory’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Amory, and Amory’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #60 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Amory’s residents live in 6 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, Amory has more expected damage per building than 59% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Amory: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Amory flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Amory, from FEMA’s records: 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina2 claims · $32K
Amory 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Amory
Disasters that paid out in Amory itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Amory), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes1,426 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$13.8M to the City of Amory for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$60K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$82K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding24 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$39K to the City of Amory for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $32K
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$23K to the City of Amory for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes and High Winds3 households applied for aid$4K 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 Amory after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Amory archive →Get ready for what Amory 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.
- 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 Amory
Is Amory at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amory has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #60 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Amory flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Amory since 1982, $484K in all, or 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (2).
Is Amory 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 Amory?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Amory’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 Amory?
By FEMA money that reached Amory, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 1,426 households applied for aid, $2.6M approved, and $13.8M to the City of Amory for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 2 paid, $32K.
Is Amory at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Amory’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Amory.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Amory’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.