Photo: Chillin662 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Itta Bena than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Itta Bena gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1980.
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 Itta Bena 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Itta Bena’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Itta Bena, and Itta Bena’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Itta Bena’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Itta Bena: $683K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Itta Bena flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Itta Bena, from FEMA’s records: 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Isidore1 claim · $4K
Itta Bena isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Leflore County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Itta Bena
Disasters that paid out in Itta Bena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Itta Bena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm892 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$281K to the City of Itta Bena for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding1 households applied for aid$148 aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$22K to the City of Itta Bena for repairs
- 1998Severe Winter Storms, Ice and Freezing Rain$36K to the City of Itta Bena for repairs
Leflore County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Itta Bena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Itta Bena archive →Get ready for what Itta Bena 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Itta Bena
Is Itta Bena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Itta Bena has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Itta Bena flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Itta Bena since 1980, $51K in all, or 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Isidore (1).
Is Itta Bena 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 Leflore County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Itta Bena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Itta Bena’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 Itta Bena?
By FEMA money that reached Itta Bena, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 892 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved, and $281K to the City of Itta Bena for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Isidore: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Itta Bena at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Itta Bena’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Itta Bena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Itta Bena’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.