Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0For tornadoes, Olive Branch’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olive Branch gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #49 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then earthquakes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 2007.
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 Olive Branch’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Olive Branch 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 Olive Branch’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Olive Branch, and Olive Branch’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #49 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Olive Branch’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, Olive Branch has less expected damage per building than 52% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.7M a year in losses across Olive Branch: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Olive Branch flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Olive Branch, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $113K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $11K
- Hurricane Isaac1 claim · $8K
Olive Branch isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeSoto County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Olive Branch
Disasters that paid out in Olive Branch itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Olive Branch), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm1,262 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding32 households applied for aid$157K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
DeSoto County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Olive Branch after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Olive Branch archive →Olive Branch and its neighbors
Olive Branch is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgetown | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Southaven | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Olive Branch | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Collierville | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Memphis | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | 345 |
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 Olive Branch 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 Olive Branch
Is Olive Branch at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olive Branch has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #49 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and earthquakes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Olive Branch flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Olive Branch since 2007, $732K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Olive Branch 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 DeSoto County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Olive Branch?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Olive Branch’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 Olive Branch?
By FEMA money that reached Olive Branch, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 1,262 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $113K.
Is Olive Branch at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Olive Branch’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Olive Branch.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Olive Branch’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.