Photo: Kevin Magee 1 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Mendenhall than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mendenhall gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 113 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 Mendenhall’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mendenhall 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
Hail
Hurricanes
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 Mendenhall’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mendenhall, and Mendenhall’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mendenhall’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Mendenhall: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mendenhall flood? Yes: 113 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mendenhall, from FEMA’s records: 103.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Francine1 claim · $3K
Mendenhall 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mendenhall
Disasters that paid out in Mendenhall itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mendenhall), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,465 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$75K to the City of Mendenhall for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods18 households applied for aid$8K aid approved3 flood claims 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 Mendenhall after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mendenhall archive →Get ready for what Mendenhall 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Mendenhall
Is Mendenhall at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mendenhall has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mendenhall flood?
Flood insurance has paid 113 claims in Mendenhall since 1978, $1.6M in all, or 103.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Francine (1).
Is Mendenhall 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 Mendenhall?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mendenhall’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 Mendenhall?
By FEMA money that reached Mendenhall, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,465 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $75K to the City of Mendenhall for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Francine: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Mendenhall at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Mendenhall’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mendenhall.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mendenhall’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.