Photo: Justinsanders · Public domainMadison’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #50 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 88 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 Madison’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Madison 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
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 Madison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madison, and Madison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 25%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #50 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Madison’s residents live in 10 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, Madison has less expected damage per building than 51% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.5M a year in losses across Madison: $10.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madison flood? Sometimes: 88 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madison, from FEMA’s records: 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Madison is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Madison County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madison
Disasters that paid out in Madison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Madison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding308 households applied for aid$176K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes.$508K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,001 households applied for aid$447K aid approved$974K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods53 households applied for aid$124K aid approved$32K to the City of Madison for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Madison County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Madison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madison archive →Madison and its neighbors
Madison 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Ridgeland | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
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 Madison 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.
- 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.
- Madison 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 Madison
Is Madison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #50 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 88 claims in Madison since 1979, $770K in all, or 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Madison 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 Madison County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Madison?
Madison 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 Madison?
By FEMA money that reached Madison, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 1,001 households applied for aid, $447K approved, and $974K to the City of Madison for repairs.
Is Madison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Madison’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madison’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.