Photo: Woodlot · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Gulfport faces more hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gulfport gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #83 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 3,272 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 Gulfport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gulfport 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
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 Gulfport’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gulfport, and Gulfport’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #83 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gulfport’s residents live in 34 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, Gulfport has more expected damage per building than 82% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $55.4M a year in losses across Gulfport: $45.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gulfport flood? Yes: 3,272 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gulfport, from FEMA’s records: 96.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina1,450 claims · $259M
- Hurricane Georges316 claims · $6.0M
- Tropical Storm Allison150 claims · $3.2M
Gulfport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Harrison County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gulfport
Disasters that paid out in Gulfport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gulfport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur5,538 households applied for aid$8.7M aid approved31 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida844 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$629K to the City of Gulfport for repairs26 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Zeta5,955 households applied for aid$6.8M aid approved$14.2M to the City of Gulfport for repairs28 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Nate$133K to the City of Gulfport for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac3,125 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$1.5M to the City of Gulfport for repairs142 flood claims paid for it, $4.0M
- 2008Hurricane Gustav567 households applied for aid$160K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Gulfport for repairs38 flood claims paid for it, $700K
Show all 13
- 2005Hurricane Katrina4 households applied for aid$13K aid approved1,450 flood claims paid for it, $259M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina44,385 households applied for aid$181M aid approved$217M to the City of Gulfport for repairs1,450 flood claims paid for it, $259M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1,450 flood claims paid for it, $259M
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$31K to the City of Gulfport for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan560 households applied for aid$285K aid approved$578K to the City of Gulfport for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$361K to the City of Gulfport for repairs82 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$286K to the City of Gulfport for repairs150 flood claims paid for it, $3.2M
Harrison County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Gulfport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gulfport archive →Gulfport and its neighbors
Gulfport is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 1,545 |
| Biloxi | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 2,496 |
| Gulfport | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 3,272 |
| Lyman | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 2 |
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 Gulfport 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.
- 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.
- Gulfport residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Gulfport
Is Gulfport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gulfport has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #83 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gulfport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,272 claims in Gulfport since 1978, $293M in all, or 96.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 361 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (1,450).
Is Gulfport 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 Harrison County, 62% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gulfport?
Gulfport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Gulfport?
By FEMA money that reached Gulfport, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 44,385 households applied for aid, $181M approved, and $217M to the City of Gulfport for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 1,450 paid, $259M.
Is Gulfport at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Gulfport’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gulfport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gulfport’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.