Photo: Dudemanfellabra · CC BY-SA 3.0Meridian’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meridian gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #30 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 126 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 Meridian’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Meridian 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
Earthquakes
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 Meridian’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Meridian, and Meridian’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #30 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Meridian’s residents live in 19 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, Meridian has less expected damage per building than 71% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.0M a year in losses across Meridian: $10.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Meridian flood? Yes: 126 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Meridian, from FEMA’s records: 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina2 claims · $38K
- Hurricane Ivan1 claim · $999
Meridian is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lauderdale County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Meridian
Disasters that paid out in Meridian itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Meridian), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$262K to the City of Meridian for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$5K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$16K to the City of Meridian for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding41 households applied for aid$146K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$27K to the City of Meridian for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Katrina11,341 households applied for aid$9.5M aid approved$3.3M to the City of Meridian for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $38K
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$14K to the City of Meridian for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1,339 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$936K to the City of Meridian for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $999
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods265 households applied for aid$613K aid approved$350K to the City of Meridian for repairs28 flood claims paid that year
Lauderdale County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Meridian after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Meridian archive →Meridian and its neighbors
Meridian is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Meridian | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 126 |
| Nellieburg | C+more damage than 55% | 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 Meridian 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Meridian 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 Meridian
Is Meridian at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meridian has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #30 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Meridian flood?
Flood insurance has paid 126 claims in Meridian since 1979, $2.7M in all, or 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (2).
Is Meridian 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 Lauderdale County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Meridian?
Meridian 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 Meridian?
By FEMA money that reached Meridian, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 11,341 households applied for aid, $9.5M approved, and $3.3M to the City of Meridian for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 2 paid, $38K.
Is Meridian at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Meridian’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Meridian.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Meridian’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.