Madison County Jail · Photo: Scoutandboo · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Canton’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #41 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 400 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 Canton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Canton 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Canton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canton, and Canton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #41 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Canton’s residents live in 7 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, Canton has less expected damage per building than 60% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Canton: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canton flood? Yes: 400 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canton, from FEMA’s records: 76.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms6 claims · $223K
Canton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Canton
Disasters that paid out in Canton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Canton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding907 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding42 households applied for aid$14K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,839 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$464K to the City of Canton for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods283 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$15K to the City of Canton for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
Madison County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Canton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canton archive →Canton and its neighbors
Canton is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gluckstadt | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Canton | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 400 |
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 Canton 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Canton
Is Canton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #41 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and tornadoes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Canton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 400 claims in Canton since 1979, $4.5M in all, or 76.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 45 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (6).
Is Canton 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 Madison County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Canton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canton’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 Canton?
By FEMA money that reached Canton, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,839 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $464K to the City of Canton for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 6 paid, $223K.
Is Canton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Canton’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canton’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.