Amos Deason House · Photo: Librarylady2726 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Ellisville faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellisville gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #33 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1990.
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 Ellisville 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
Hurricanes
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 Ellisville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ellisville, and Ellisville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #33 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ellisville’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, Ellisville has less expected damage per building than 68% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Ellisville: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ellisville flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ellisville, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ellisville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jones County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ellisville
Disasters that paid out in Ellisville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ellisville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$352K to the City of Ellisville for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$9K to the City of Ellisville for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac14 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$238K to the City of Ellisville for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina3,900 households applied for aid$4.4M aid approved$866K to the City of Ellisville for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$10K to the City of Ellisville for repairs
Jones County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Ellisville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ellisville archive →Ellisville and its neighbors
Ellisville 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellisville | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Laurel | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
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 Ellisville 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.
- 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.
- 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 Ellisville
Is Ellisville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellisville has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #33 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ellisville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Ellisville since 1990, $82K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Ellisville 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 Jones County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ellisville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ellisville’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 Ellisville?
By FEMA money that reached Ellisville, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 3,900 households applied for aid, $4.4M approved, and $866K to the City of Ellisville for repairs.
Is Ellisville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Ellisville’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ellisville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ellisville’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.