Photo: Dofftoubab · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Nicholson faces more hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nicholson gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #91 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2005.
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 Nicholson 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 Nicholson’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nicholson, and Nicholson’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #91 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nicholson’s residents live in 2 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, Nicholson has more expected damage per building than 90% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Nicholson: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nicholson flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nicholson, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS5 claims · $141K
- Hurricane Katrina1 claim · $25K
- Tropical Storm Claudette1 claim · $25K
Nicholson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pearl River County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nicholson
Disasters that paid out in Nicholson itself (aid to households or repair grants to Nicholson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Isaac5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina200 households applied for aid$521K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $25K
Pearl River County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Nicholson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nicholson archive →Nicholson and its neighbors
Nicholson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholson | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 8 |
| Picayune | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 209 |
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 Nicholson 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 Nicholson
Is Nicholson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nicholson has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #91 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nicholson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Nicholson since 2005, $202K in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (5).
Is Nicholson 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 Pearl River County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nicholson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nicholson’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 Nicholson?
By FEMA money that reached Nicholson, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 200 households applied for aid, $521K approved. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 5 paid, $141K.
Is Nicholson at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Nicholson’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nicholson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nicholson’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.