Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Hernando’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hernando gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #32 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then earthquakes (35%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1979.
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 Hernando’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hernando 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 Hernando’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hernando, and Hernando’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #32 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hernando’s residents live in 8 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, Hernando has less expected damage per building than 69% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across Hernando: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hernando flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hernando, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hernando is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: DeSoto County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hernando
Disasters that paid out in Hernando itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hernando), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm324 households applied for aid$589K aid approved$9K to the City of Hernando for repairs
- 2011Flooding6 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding16 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2 households applied for aid$12K to the City of Hernando for repairs
DeSoto County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Hernando after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hernando archive →Hernando and its neighbors
Hernando has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hernando | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Southaven | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
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 Hernando 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.
- Hernando residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hernando
Is Hernando at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hernando has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #32 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and earthquakes (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hernando flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Hernando since 1979, $131K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hernando 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 DeSoto County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hernando?
Hernando is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Hernando?
By FEMA money that reached Hernando, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 324 households applied for aid, $589K approved, and $9K to the City of Hernando for repairs.
Is Hernando at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Hernando’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hernando.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hernando’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.