Photo: Ron Cogswell · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Corinth than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Corinth gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #47 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then earthquakes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 1994.
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 Corinth’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Corinth 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 Corinth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Corinth, and Corinth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #47 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Corinth’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, Corinth has less expected damage per building than 54% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.2M a year in losses across Corinth: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Corinth flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Corinth, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms7 claims · $294K
- Tropical Storm Isidore1 claim · $21K
Corinth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Alcorn County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Corinth
Disasters that paid out in Corinth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Corinth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm1,879 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved$5.5M to the City of Corinth for repairs
- 2019Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$3.9M to the City of Corinth for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding11 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$18K to the City of Corinth for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding301 households applied for aid$755K aid approved$1.3M to the City of Corinth for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$230K to the City of Corinth for repairs
Alcorn County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Corinth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Corinth archive →Corinth and its neighbors
Corinth 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Corinth | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
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 Corinth 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Corinth
Is Corinth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Corinth has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #47 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and earthquakes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Corinth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Corinth since 1994, $4.0M in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (7).
Is Corinth 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 Alcorn County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Corinth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Corinth’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 Corinth?
By FEMA money that reached Corinth, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 1,879 households applied for aid, $2.5M approved, and $5.5M to the City of Corinth for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 7 paid, $294K.
Is Corinth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Corinth’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Corinth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Corinth’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.