Photo: J.gadbois · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Pascagoula’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pascagoula gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #90 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 2,861 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 Pascagoula’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pascagoula 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 Pascagoula’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pascagoula, and Pascagoula’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #90 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pascagoula’s residents live in 8 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, Pascagoula has more expected damage per building than 89% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.1M a year in losses across Pascagoula: $16.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pascagoula flood? Yes: 2,861 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pascagoula, from FEMA’s records: 277.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina1,502 claims · $197M
- Hurricane Georges573 claims · $14.9M
- Hurricane Isaac157 claims · $2.8M
Pascagoula is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pascagoula
Disasters that paid out in Pascagoula itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pascagoula), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes.54 households applied for aid$54K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida406 households applied for aid$426K aid approved$32K to the City of Pascagoula for repairs28 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2020Hurricane Zeta604 households applied for aid$795K aid approved$686K to the City of Pascagoula for repairs28 flood claims paid for it, $450K
- 2017Hurricane Nate$397K to the City of Pascagoula for repairs32 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac1,220 households applied for aid$754K aid approved$304K to the City of Pascagoula for repairs157 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$84K to the City of Pascagoula for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Katrina13,234 households applied for aid$99.2M aid approved$35.9M to the City of Pascagoula for repairs1,502 flood claims paid for it, $197M
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$61K to the City of Pascagoula for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan845 households applied for aid$560K aid approved$818K to the City of Pascagoula for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$141K to the City of Pascagoula for repairs24 flood claims 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 Pascagoula after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pascagoula archive →Pascagoula and its neighbors
Pascagoula 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pascagoula | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 2,861 |
| Moss Point | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,036 |
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 Pascagoula 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.
- Pascagoula 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 Pascagoula
Is Pascagoula at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pascagoula has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #90 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pascagoula flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,861 claims in Pascagoula since 1978, $224M in all, or 277.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 473 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (1,502).
Is Pascagoula 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 Pascagoula?
Pascagoula 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 Pascagoula?
By FEMA money that reached Pascagoula, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 13,234 households applied for aid, $99.2M approved, and $35.9M to the City of Pascagoula for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 1,502 paid, $197M.
Is Pascagoula at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Pascagoula’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pascagoula.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pascagoula’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.