Photo: Ditch Fisher · CC BY-SA 3.0For hail, Brandon’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandon gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #43 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hail (21%). Flood insurance has paid 56 claims here since 1979.
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 Brandon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brandon 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
Hail
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 Brandon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brandon, and Brandon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 21%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #43 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brandon’s residents live in 12 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, Brandon has less expected damage per building than 58% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.7M a year in losses across Brandon: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brandon flood? Sometimes: 56 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brandon, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Francine1 claim · $2K
Brandon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rankin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brandon
Disasters that paid out in Brandon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brandon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding140 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$241K to the City of Brandon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$10K to the City of Brandon for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina4,252 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$212K to the City of Brandon for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods284 households applied for aid$689K aid approved$110K to the City of Brandon for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Rankin County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Brandon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brandon archive →Brandon and its neighbors
Brandon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| Pearl | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 183 |
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 Brandon 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Brandon
Is Brandon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandon has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #43 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hail (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brandon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 56 claims in Brandon since 1979, $1.5M in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Francine (1).
Is Brandon 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 Rankin County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brandon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brandon’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 Brandon?
By FEMA money that reached Brandon, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 4,252 households applied for aid, $2.4M approved, and $212K to the City of Brandon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Francine: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Brandon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Brandon’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brandon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brandon’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.