Photo: Radiohead band · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Magee faces more hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Magee gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #56 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 stands out about Magee’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Magee 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
Hurricanes
Hail
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 Magee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Magee, and Magee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #56 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Magee’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, Magee has more expected damage per building than 55% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Magee: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Magee flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Magee, from FEMA’s records: 17.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Magee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Simpson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Magee
Disasters that paid out in Magee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Magee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$116K to the City of Magee for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,431 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$729K to the City of Magee for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods15 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Simpson County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Magee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Magee archive →Get ready for what Magee 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.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Magee
Is Magee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Magee has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #56 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Magee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Magee since 1980, $266K in all, or 17.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Magee 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 Simpson County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Magee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Magee’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 Magee?
By FEMA money that reached Magee, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,431 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved, and $729K to the City of Magee for repairs.
Is Magee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Magee’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Magee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Magee’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.