US Post Office-Forest · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0For tornadoes, Forest’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #24 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Forest 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Forest’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest, and Forest’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #24 of 101 in Mississippi; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forest’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, Forest has less expected damage per building than 77% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Forest: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forest, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $40K
Forest isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Scott County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forest
Disasters that paid out in Forest itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Forest), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,050 households applied for aid$4.5M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$88K to the City of Forest for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,719 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$187K to the City of Forest for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods39 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
Scott County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Forest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest archive →Get ready for what Forest 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Forest
Is Forest at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #24 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forest flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Forest since 1990, $384K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (1).
Is Forest 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 Scott County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Forest?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest’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 Forest?
By FEMA money that reached Forest, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 1,050 households applied for aid, $4.5M approved. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 1 paid, $40K.
Is Forest at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Forest’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest’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.