Sherman Line Rosenwald School · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Magnolia than in 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Magnolia gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims 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 Magnolia 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
Hurricanes
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 Magnolia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Magnolia, and Magnolia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Magnolia’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $934K a year in losses across Magnolia: $673K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Magnolia flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Magnolia, from FEMA’s records: 6.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Isidore2 claims · $32K
- Hurricane Isaac1 claim · $45K
Magnolia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pike County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Magnolia
Disasters that paid out in Magnolia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Magnolia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding304 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida572 households applied for aid$556K aid approved$169K to the City of Magnolia for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac637 households applied for aid$372K aid approved$30K to the City of Magnolia for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $45K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$17K to the City of Magnolia for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,692 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$374K to the City of Magnolia for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods677 households applied for aid$535K aid approved
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$9K to the City of Magnolia for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $32K
Pike County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Magnolia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Magnolia archive →Magnolia and its neighbors
Magnolia has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnolia | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Fernwood | — | 57 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Magnolia 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.
- 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.
- 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 Magnolia
Is Magnolia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Magnolia has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Magnolia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Magnolia since 1983, $125K in all, or 6.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Isidore (2).
Is Magnolia 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 Pike County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Magnolia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Magnolia’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 Magnolia?
By FEMA money that reached Magnolia, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,692 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved, and $374K to the City of Magnolia for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Isidore: 2 paid, $32K.
Is Magnolia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Magnolia’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Magnolia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Magnolia’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.