Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar House · Photo: Fredlyfish4 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Oxford as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oxford gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #12 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 2001.
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 Oxford’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oxford 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 Oxford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oxford, and Oxford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #12 of 101 in Mississippi; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oxford’s residents live in 13 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, Oxford has less expected damage per building than 89% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.0M a year in losses across Oxford: $5.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oxford flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oxford, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $52K
- Hurricane Isaac2 claims · $75K
- Hurricane Ivan1 claim · $4K
Oxford is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lafayette County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oxford
Disasters that paid out in Oxford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oxford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm2,700 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding148 households applied for aid$119K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
Lafayette County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Oxford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oxford archive →Get ready for what Oxford 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.
- Oxford 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 Oxford
Is Oxford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oxford has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #12 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oxford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Oxford since 2001, $331K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Oxford 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 Lafayette County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oxford?
Oxford 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 Oxford?
By FEMA money that reached Oxford, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 2,700 households applied for aid, $3.6M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $52K.
Is Oxford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Oxford’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oxford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oxford’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.