Photo: NatalieMaynor from Jackson, Mississippi, USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Byram than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byram gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #69 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hail (17%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2003.
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 Byram’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Byram 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
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 Byram’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Byram, and Byram’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 17%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #69 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Byram’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, Byram has more expected damage per building than 68% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Byram: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Byram flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Byram, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Byram isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hinds County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Byram
Disasters that paid out in Byram itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Byram), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding525 households applied for aid$449K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac8 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding8 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$167 aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,296 households applied for aid$531K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods5 households applied for aid$14K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Hinds County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Byram after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Byram archive →Byram and its neighbors
Byram is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Byram 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.
- 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 Byram
Is Byram at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byram has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #69 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hail (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Byram flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Byram since 2003, $334K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Byram 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 Hinds County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Byram?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Byram’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 Byram?
By FEMA money that reached Byram, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 1,296 households applied for aid, $531K approved.
Is Byram at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Byram’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Byram.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Byram’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.