William Frederick Holmes House · Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in McComb as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McComb gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #42 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 29 claims here since 1978.
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 McComb’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What McComb 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 McComb’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in McComb, and McComb’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #42 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McComb’s residents live in 6 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, McComb has less expected damage per building than 59% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across McComb: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McComb flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McComb, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Isidore6 claims · $116K
McComb 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McComb
Disasters that paid out in McComb itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McComb), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding611 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida1,065 households applied for aid$813K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac1,191 households applied for aid$536K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina6,496 households applied for aid$6.0M aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods2,052 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved
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 McComb after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McComb archive →McComb and its neighbors
McComb 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| McComb | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Summit | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 McComb 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 McComb
Is McComb at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McComb has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #42 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McComb flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in McComb since 1978, $407K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Isidore (6).
Is McComb 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 McComb?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McComb’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 McComb?
By FEMA money that reached McComb, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 6,496 households applied for aid, $6.0M approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Isidore: 6 paid, $116K.
Is McComb at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and McComb’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McComb.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McComb’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.