Photo: Chillin662 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Greenville than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #67 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 723 claims here since 1978.
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 Greenville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Greenville 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
Hail
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 Greenville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenville, and Greenville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 15% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C #67 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greenville’s residents live in 13 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, Greenville has more expected damage per building than 66% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.7M a year in losses across Greenville: $10.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenville flood? Yes: 723 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greenville, from FEMA’s records: 51.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gustav233 claims · $4.3M
- The Late winter severe storms104 claims · $2.6M
- The Mid-spring storms6 claims · $1.3M
Greenville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenville
Disasters that paid out in Greenville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Greenville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm4,240 households applied for aid$10.0M aid approved$50K to the City of Greenville for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$233K to the City of Greenville for repairs61 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,065 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$420K to the City of Greenville for repairs108 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Flooding274 households applied for aid$510K aid approved$455K to the City of Greenville for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav2,128 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$127K to the City of Greenville for repairs233 flood claims paid for it, $4.3M
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding116 households applied for aid$259K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$15K to the City of Greenville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $15K
- 1998Severe Winter Storms, Ice and Freezing Rain$55K to the City of Greenville for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
Washington County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Greenville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenville archive →Get ready for what Greenville 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.
- 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.
- 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 Greenville
Is Greenville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenville has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #67 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greenville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 723 claims in Greenville since 1978, $13.6M in all, or 51.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 109 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gustav (233).
Is Greenville 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 Washington County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greenville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greenville’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 Greenville?
By FEMA money that reached Greenville, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 4,240 households applied for aid, $10.0M approved, and $50K to the City of Greenville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Gustav: 233 paid, $4.3M.
Is Greenville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Greenville’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenville’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.