Rosalie · Photo: Elisa Rolle · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Natchez than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Natchez gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #53 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1983.
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 Natchez 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
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 Natchez’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Natchez, and Natchez’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C #53 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Natchez’s residents live in 10 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, Natchez has more expected damage per building than 52% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across Natchez: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Natchez flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Natchez, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $111K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $7K
Natchez isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Adams County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Natchez
Disasters that paid out in Natchez itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Natchez), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm2,567 households applied for aid$6.1M aid approved$47K to the City of Natchez for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$881K to the City of Natchez for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$16K to the City of Natchez for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac467 households applied for aid$246K aid approved$38K to the City of Natchez for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Flooding45 households applied for aid$98K aid approved$179K to the City of Natchez for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav2,319 households applied for aid$658K aid approved$114K to the City of Natchez for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina3,921 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$200K to the City of Natchez for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Adams County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Natchez after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Natchez archive →Natchez and its neighbors
Natchez 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natchez | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Morgantown | Cmore damage than 68% | 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 Natchez 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.
- 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 Natchez
Is Natchez at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Natchez has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #53 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Natchez flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Natchez since 1983, $356K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (5).
Is Natchez 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 Adams County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Natchez?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Natchez’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 Natchez?
By FEMA money that reached Natchez, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 2,567 households applied for aid, $6.1M approved, and $47K to the City of Natchez for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 5 paid, $111K.
Is Natchez at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Natchez’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Natchez.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Natchez’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.