Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Moss Point than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moss Point gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #94 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 1,036 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 Moss Point’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Moss Point faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Moss Point’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moss Point, and Moss Point’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #94 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moss Point’s residents live in 9 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, Moss Point has more expected damage per building than 93% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.1M a year in losses across Moss Point: $9.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moss Point flood? Yes: 1,036 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moss Point, from FEMA’s records: 176.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina233 claims · $20.8M
- Hurricane Isaac209 claims · $4.0M
- Hurricane Georges110 claims · $1.4M
Moss Point isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moss Point
Disasters that paid out in Moss Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moss Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes.913 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Moss Point for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida827 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved72 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2020Hurricane Zeta1,002 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$160K to the City of Moss Point for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Nate$112K to the City of Moss Point for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac2,576 households applied for aid$4.1M aid approved$123K to the City of Moss Point for repairs209 flood claims paid for it, $4.0M
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$28K to the City of Moss Point for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2005Hurricane Katrina12,516 households applied for aid$51.0M aid approved$7.4M to the City of Moss Point for repairs233 flood claims paid for it, $20.8M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved233 flood claims paid for it, $20.8M
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$33K to the City of Moss Point for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1,578 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$320K to the City of Moss Point for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$62K to the City of Moss Point for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $129K
Jackson County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Moss Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moss Point archive →Moss Point and its neighbors
Moss Point 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pascagoula | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 2,861 |
| Moss Point | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,036 |
| Escatawpa | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 27 |
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 Moss Point faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Moss Point
Is Moss Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moss Point has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #94 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moss Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,036 claims in Moss Point since 1978, $34.4M in all, or 176.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 204 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (233).
Is Moss Point 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 Jackson County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 18.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moss Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moss Point’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 Moss Point?
By FEMA money that reached Moss Point, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 12,516 households applied for aid, $51.0M approved, and $7.4M to the City of Moss Point for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 233 paid, $20.8M.
Is Moss Point at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Moss Point’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moss Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moss Point’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.