Photo: Matthew N from Oxford, MS, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Baldwyn faces less hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baldwyn gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #7 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then earthquakes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2001.
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 Baldwyn’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Baldwyn 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 Baldwyn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Baldwyn, and Baldwyn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 34% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B #7 of 101 in Mississippi; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Baldwyn’s residents live in 3 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, Baldwyn has less expected damage per building than 94% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Baldwyn: $758K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Baldwyn flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Baldwyn, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Baldwyn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Prentiss County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Baldwyn
Disasters that paid out in Baldwyn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Baldwyn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm265 households applied for aid$384K aid approved$11K to the City of Baldwyn for repairs
- 2019Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$6K to the City of Baldwyn for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$349K to the City of Baldwyn for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$32K to the City of Baldwyn for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes and High Winds1 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms and Tornadoes$133K to the City of Baldwyn for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Prentiss County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Baldwyn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Baldwyn archive →Baldwyn and its neighbors
Baldwyn has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwyn | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Guntown | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Baldwyn 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 Baldwyn
Is Baldwyn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baldwyn has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #7 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and earthquakes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Baldwyn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Baldwyn since 2001, $32K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Baldwyn 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 Prentiss County, 1% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Baldwyn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Baldwyn’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 Baldwyn?
By FEMA money that reached Baldwyn, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 265 households applied for aid, $384K approved, and $11K to the City of Baldwyn for repairs.
Is Baldwyn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Baldwyn’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Baldwyn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Baldwyn’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.