FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Gulf Park Estates than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gulf Park Estates gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #99 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (56%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 2005.
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 Gulf Park Estates 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
Coastal 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 Gulf Park Estates’ grade
Hurricanes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gulf Park Estates, and Gulf Park Estates’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #99 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gulf Park Estates’ 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, Gulf Park Estates has more expected damage per building than 98% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Gulf Park Estates: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gulf Park Estates flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gulf Park Estates, from FEMA’s records: 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Zeta7 claims · $78K
- Hurricane Katrina5 claims · $490K
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $27K
Gulf Park Estates 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.The storms Gulf Park Estates remembers
None of the 26 disasters declared for Jackson County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Gulf Park Estates itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20207 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Zeta, declared for Jackson County
- 20056 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Katrina, declared for Jackson County
- 20174 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Nate, declared for Jackson County
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 Gulf Park Estates after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gulf Park Estates archive →Gulf Park Estates and its neighbors
Gulf Park Estates 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Springs | Dmore damage than 95% | hurricanes | 860 |
| Gulf Park Estates | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 19 |
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 Gulf Park Estates 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Gulf Park Estates
Is Gulf Park Estates at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gulf Park Estates has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #99 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (56%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gulf Park Estates flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Gulf Park Estates since 2005, $804K in all, or 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Zeta (7).
Is Gulf Park Estates 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 Gulf Park Estates?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gulf Park Estates’ 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 Gulf Park Estates?
By flood claims, Hurricane Zeta: 7 paid, $78K.
Is Gulf Park Estates at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Gulf Park Estates’ rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gulf Park Estates.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gulf Park Estates’ 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.