Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0For tornadoes, Batesville’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Batesville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #38 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%), then earthquakes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1984.
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 Batesville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Batesville 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 Batesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Batesville, and Batesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #38 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Batesville’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, Batesville has less expected damage per building than 63% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Batesville: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Batesville flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Batesville, from FEMA’s records: 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Batesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Panola County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Batesville
Disasters that paid out in Batesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Batesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm2,698 households applied for aid$5.0M aid approved$2.9M to the City of Batesville for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes797 households applied for aid$326K aid approved$105K to the City of Batesville for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding55 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$22K to the City of Batesville for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding27 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$32K to the City of Batesville for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$21K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding85 households applied for aid$97K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$5K to the City of Batesville for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$50K to the City of Batesville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Panola County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Batesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Batesville archive →Get ready for what Batesville 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 Batesville
Is Batesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Batesville has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #38 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%) and earthquakes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Batesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Batesville since 1984, $638K in all, or 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Batesville 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 Panola County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Batesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Batesville’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 Batesville?
By FEMA money that reached Batesville, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 2,698 households applied for aid, $5.0M approved, and $2.9M to the City of Batesville for repairs.
Is Batesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Batesville’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Batesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Batesville’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.