Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0For tornadoes, Iuka’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iuka gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #46 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1991.
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 Iuka 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 Iuka’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Iuka, and Iuka’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #46 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Iuka’s residents live in 3 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, Iuka has less expected damage per building than 55% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Iuka: $748K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Iuka flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Iuka, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Iuka isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tishomingo County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Iuka
Disasters that paid out in Iuka itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Iuka), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm448 households applied for aid$664K aid approved$419K to the City of Iuka for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding25 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$4K to the City of Iuka for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$3K to the City of Iuka for repairs
- 1998Severe Winter Storms, Ice and Freezing Rain$5K to the City of Iuka for repairs
Tishomingo County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Iuka after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Iuka archive →Get ready for what Iuka 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 Iuka
Is Iuka at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iuka has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #46 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Iuka flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Iuka since 1991, $39K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Iuka 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 Tishomingo County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Iuka?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Iuka’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 Iuka?
By FEMA money that reached Iuka, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 448 households applied for aid, $664K approved, and $419K to the City of Iuka for repairs.
Is Iuka at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Iuka’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Iuka.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Iuka’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.