On FEMA’s figures, Escatawpa faces more hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Escatawpa gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #96 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (59%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1998.
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 Escatawpa 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 Escatawpa’s grade
Hurricanes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Escatawpa, and Escatawpa’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #96 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Escatawpa’s residents live in 2 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, Escatawpa has more expected damage per building than 95% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Escatawpa: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Escatawpa flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Escatawpa, from FEMA’s records: 14.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina8 claims · $414K
- Hurricane Isaac4 claims · $99K
- Hurricane Ida4 claims · $30K
Escatawpa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Escatawpa
Disasters that paid out in Escatawpa itself (aid to households or repair grants to Escatawpa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Isaac12 households applied for aid$2K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $99K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina361 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $414K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan30 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
Jackson County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Escatawpa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Escatawpa archive →Escatawpa and its neighbors
Escatawpa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moss Point | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,036 |
| Escatawpa | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 27 |
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 Escatawpa 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Escatawpa
Is Escatawpa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Escatawpa has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #96 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (59%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Escatawpa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Escatawpa since 1998, $781K in all, or 14.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (8).
Is Escatawpa 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 Jackson County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 18.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Escatawpa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Escatawpa’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 Escatawpa?
By FEMA money that reached Escatawpa, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 361 households applied for aid, $2.7M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 8 paid, $414K.
Is Escatawpa at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Escatawpa’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Escatawpa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Escatawpa’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.