Photo: Roastedbeanz1 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Florence than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Florence gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #55 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hail (19%). Flood insurance has paid 38 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 Florence’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Florence 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
Hurricanes
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 Florence’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Florence, and Florence’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 #55 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Florence’s residents live in 5 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, Florence has more expected damage per building than 54% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Florence: $953K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Florence flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Florence, from FEMA’s records: 20.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Florence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rankin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Florence
Disasters that paid out in Florence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Florence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,416 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$135K to the City of Florence for repairs
Rankin County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Florence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Florence archive →Florence and its neighbors
Florence is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Florence 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.
- 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.
- 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 Florence
Is Florence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Florence has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #55 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hail (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Florence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Florence since 1979, $2.4M in all, or 20.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Florence 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 Rankin County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Florence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Florence’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 Florence?
By FEMA money that reached Florence, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,416 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $135K to the City of Florence for repairs.
Is Florence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Florence’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Florence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Florence’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.