Photo: Zach123abc · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Ocean Springs faces more hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean Springs gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #88 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 860 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 Ocean Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ocean Springs 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 Ocean Springs’ grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ocean Springs, and Ocean Springs’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #88 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ocean Springs’ residents live in 5 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, Ocean Springs has more expected damage per building than 87% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.2M a year in losses across Ocean Springs: $13.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ocean Springs flood? Yes: 860 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ocean Springs, from FEMA’s records: 96.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina515 claims · $81.9M
- Hurricane Georges70 claims · $744K
- Hurricane Zeta33 claims · $376K
Ocean Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ocean Springs
Disasters that paid out in Ocean Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ocean Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes.21 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida106 households applied for aid$67K aid approved12 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Zeta696 households applied for aid$597K aid approved33 flood claims paid for it, $376K
- 2012Hurricane Isaac498 households applied for aid$199K aid approved32 flood claims paid for it, $533K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved515 flood claims paid for it, $81.9M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina19,769 households applied for aid$70.2M aid approved515 flood claims paid for it, $81.9M
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved515 flood claims paid for it, $81.9M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan242 households applied for aid$212K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Ocean Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ocean Springs archive →Ocean Springs and its neighbors
Ocean Springs is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biloxi | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 2,496 |
| St. Martin | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 76 |
| Ocean Springs | Dmore damage than 95% | hurricanes | 860 |
| Gulf Hills | Dmore damage than 95% | hurricanes | 33 |
| Gautier | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 745 |
| Gulf Park Estates | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 19 |
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 Ocean Springs 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.
- Ocean Springs residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ocean Springs
Is Ocean Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean Springs has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #88 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ocean Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 860 claims in Ocean Springs since 1978, $85.6M in all, or 96.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 45 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (515).
Is Ocean Springs 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 Ocean Springs?
Ocean Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Ocean Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Ocean Springs, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 19,769 households applied for aid, $70.2M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 515 paid, $81.9M.
Is Ocean Springs at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Ocean Springs’ rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ocean Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ocean Springs’ 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.