Photo: Chillin662 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Mound Bayou than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mound Bayou gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1989.
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 Mound Bayou 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
Earthquakes
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 Mound Bayou’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mound Bayou, and Mound Bayou’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mound Bayou’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Mound Bayou: $698K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mound Bayou flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mound Bayou, from FEMA’s records: 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms2 claims · $18K
Mound Bayou isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bolivar County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mound Bayou
Disasters that paid out in Mound Bayou itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mound Bayou), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm274 households applied for aid$699K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding140 households applied for aid$180K aid approved$32K to the City of Mound Bayou for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$918 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$3K to the City of Mound Bayou for repairs
Bolivar County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Mound Bayou after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mound Bayou archive →Get ready for what Mound Bayou 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Mound Bayou
Is Mound Bayou at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mound Bayou has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (14%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mound Bayou flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Mound Bayou since 1989, $428K in all, or 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (2).
Is Mound Bayou 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 Bolivar County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mound Bayou?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mound Bayou’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 Mound Bayou?
By FEMA money that reached Mound Bayou, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 274 households applied for aid, $699K approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 2 paid, $18K.
Is Mound Bayou at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Mound Bayou’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mound Bayou.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mound Bayou’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.