Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Hattiesburg’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hattiesburg gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #44 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 932 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 Hattiesburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hattiesburg 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
Hurricanes
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 Hattiesburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hattiesburg, and Hattiesburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 31% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #44 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hattiesburg’s residents live in 23 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, Hattiesburg has less expected damage per building than 57% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.9M a year in losses across Hattiesburg: $13.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hattiesburg flood? Yes: 932 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hattiesburg, from FEMA’s records: 40.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina27 claims · $531K
- The Late winter severe storms8 claims · $159K
- Hurricane Georges1 claim · $44K
Hattiesburg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Forrest County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hattiesburg
Disasters that paid out in Hattiesburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hattiesburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding73 households applied for aid$83K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida$50K to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornado$463K to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1,439 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved$6.1M to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding196 households applied for aid$322K aid approved$645K to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
Show all 13
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,063 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac413 households applied for aid$301K aid approved$24K to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$102K to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina26,811 households applied for aid$28.7M aid approved$10.4M to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs27 flood claims paid for it, $531K
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$46K to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$81K to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms and Tornadoes$161K to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Hattiesburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hattiesburg archive →Hattiesburg and its neighbors
Hattiesburg is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Hattiesburg | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hattiesburg | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 932 |
| Petal | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 300 |
| Arnold Line | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Rawls Springs | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Hattiesburg 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Hattiesburg residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hattiesburg
Is Hattiesburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hattiesburg has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #44 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hattiesburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 932 claims in Hattiesburg since 1978, $7.3M in all, or 40.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 30 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (27).
Is Hattiesburg 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 Forrest County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hattiesburg?
Hattiesburg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Hattiesburg?
By FEMA money that reached Hattiesburg, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 26,811 households applied for aid, $28.7M approved, and $10.4M to the City of Hattiesburg for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 27 paid, $531K.
Is Hattiesburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Hattiesburg’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hattiesburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hattiesburg’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.