Photo: Jimmy Emerson from Dalton GA · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Indianola faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indianola gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #66 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1981.
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 Indianola 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 Indianola’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Indianola, and Indianola’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #66 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Indianola’s residents live in 4 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, Indianola has more expected damage per building than 65% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.7M a year in losses across Indianola: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Indianola flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Indianola, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Indianola isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sunflower County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Indianola
Disasters that paid out in Indianola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Indianola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm1,496 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding11 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$39K to the City of Indianola for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$13K to the City of Indianola for repairs
- 1998Severe Winter Storms, Ice and Freezing Rain$73K to the City of Indianola for repairs
Sunflower County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Indianola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Indianola archive →Get ready for what Indianola 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Indianola
Is Indianola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indianola has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #66 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Indianola flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Indianola since 1981, $77K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Indianola 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 Sunflower County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Indianola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Indianola’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 Indianola?
By FEMA money that reached Indianola, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 1,496 households applied for aid, $3.5M approved.
Is Indianola at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Indianola’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Indianola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Indianola’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.