Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Fulton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 67% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fulton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #3 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then earthquakes (25%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Fulton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fulton 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
Earthquakes
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 Fulton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fulton, and Fulton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #3 of 101 in Mississippi; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fulton’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, Fulton has less expected damage per building than 98% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Fulton: $958K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fulton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Fulton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Fulton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Itawamba County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fulton
Disasters that paid out in Fulton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fulton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$78K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes and High Winds1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Itawamba County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Fulton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fulton archive →Get ready for what Fulton 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Fulton
Is Fulton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fulton has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #3 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Fulton 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 Itawamba County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fulton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fulton’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 Fulton?
By FEMA money that reached Fulton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 14 households applied for aid, $78K approved.
Is Fulton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Fulton’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fulton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fulton’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.