Photo: Roastedbeanz1 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Diamondhead than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Diamondhead gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #82 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (58%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 29 claims here since 2005.
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 Diamondhead’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Diamondhead faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Diamondhead’s grade
Hurricanes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Diamondhead, and Diamondhead’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #82 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Diamondhead’s residents live in 3 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, Diamondhead has more expected damage per building than 81% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.6M a year in losses across Diamondhead: $6.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Diamondhead flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Diamondhead, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Claudette7 claims · $348K
- Hurricane Isaac5 claims · $59K
- Hurricane Zeta4 claims · $18K
Diamondhead is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Diamondhead
Disasters that paid out in Diamondhead itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Diamondhead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur14 households applied for aid$9K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida19 households applied for aid$15K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $50K
- 2020Hurricane Zeta212 households applied for aid$136K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $18K
- 2012Hurricane Isaac99 households applied for aid$20K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $59K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav32 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $395K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina3,812 households applied for aid$13.3M aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $395K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan3 households applied for aid$762 aid approved
Hancock County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Diamondhead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Diamondhead archive →Diamondhead and its neighbors
Diamondhead 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamondhead | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 29 |
| Bay St. Louis | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,392 |
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 Diamondhead faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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.
- Diamondhead residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Diamondhead
Is Diamondhead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Diamondhead has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #82 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (58%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Diamondhead flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Diamondhead since 2005, $1.2M in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Claudette (7).
Is Diamondhead 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 Hancock County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 33.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Diamondhead?
Diamondhead is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Diamondhead?
By FEMA money that reached Diamondhead, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 3,812 households applied for aid, $13.3M approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Claudette: 7 paid, $348K.
Is Diamondhead at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Diamondhead’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Diamondhead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Diamondhead’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.