Photo: Chillin662 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Cleveland faces more hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleveland gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #73 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 57 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 Cleveland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cleveland 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 Cleveland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cleveland, and Cleveland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #73 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cleveland’s residents live in 5 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, Cleveland has more expected damage per building than 72% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Cleveland: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cleveland flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cleveland, from FEMA’s records: 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms12 claims · $239K
- Hurricane Katrina1 claim · $4K
Cleveland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bolivar County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cleveland
Disasters that paid out in Cleveland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cleveland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm1,587 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$563K to the City of Cleveland for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$15K to the City of Cleveland for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding249 households applied for aid$487K aid approved$51K to the City of Cleveland for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$60K to the City of Cleveland for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$42K to the City of Cleveland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Bolivar County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Cleveland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cleveland archive →Get ready for what Cleveland 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.
- Cleveland residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cleveland
Is Cleveland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cleveland has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #73 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cleveland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Cleveland since 1979, $713K in all, or 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (12).
Is Cleveland 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 Bolivar County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cleveland?
Cleveland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Cleveland?
By FEMA money that reached Cleveland, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 1,587 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved, and $563K to the City of Cleveland for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 12 paid, $239K.
Is Cleveland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Cleveland’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cleveland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cleveland’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.