Vernal Presbyterian Church · Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Lucedale than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lucedale gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (80%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1983.
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 Lucedale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lucedale faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Lucedale’s grade
Hurricanes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lucedale, and Lucedale’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 14% (lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #100 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lucedale’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, Lucedale has more expected damage per building than 99% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Lucedale: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lucedale flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lucedale, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lucedale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: George County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lucedale
Disasters that paid out in Lucedale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lucedale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida4 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Zeta1,177 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$661K to the City of Lucedale for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding50 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac416 households applied for aid$302K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$805 to the City of Lucedale for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Katrina7,938 households applied for aid$12.8M aid approved$506K to the City of Lucedale for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$4K to the City of Lucedale for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan974 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$139K to the City of Lucedale for repairs
George County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Lucedale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lucedale archive →Get ready for what Lucedale faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Lucedale
Is Lucedale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lucedale has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (80%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lucedale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Lucedale since 1983, $11K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lucedale 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 George County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lucedale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lucedale’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 Lucedale?
By FEMA money that reached Lucedale, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 7,938 households applied for aid, $12.8M approved, and $506K to the City of Lucedale for repairs.
Is Lucedale at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Lucedale’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lucedale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lucedale’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.