Photo: Chillin662 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Clinton than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #57 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hail (19%). Flood insurance has paid 54 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 Clinton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clinton 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 Clinton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clinton, and Clinton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 19%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #57 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clinton’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, Clinton has more expected damage per building than 56% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.1M a year in losses across Clinton: $7.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clinton flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clinton, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Clinton 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clinton
Disasters that paid out in Clinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding499 households applied for aid$397K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$29K to the City of Clinton for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$42K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding252 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$369K to the City of Clinton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$186K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,929 households applied for aid$768K aid approved$536K to the City of Clinton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods31 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$43K to the City of Clinton for repairs3 flood claims 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 Clinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clinton archive →Clinton and its neighbors
Clinton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Jackson | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 3,342 |
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 Clinton 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 Clinton
Is Clinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #57 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hail (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Clinton since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Clinton 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 Clinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clinton’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 Clinton?
By FEMA money that reached Clinton, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 1,929 households applied for aid, $768K approved, and $536K to the City of Clinton for repairs.
Is Clinton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Clinton’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clinton’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.