Photo: Kevin magee · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Pearl faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pearl gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #54 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hail (19%). Flood insurance has paid 183 claims here since 1979.
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 Pearl’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pearl 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
Hail
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 Pearl’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pearl, and Pearl’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 19%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #54 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pearl’s residents live in 12 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, Pearl has more expected damage per building than 53% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.3M a year in losses across Pearl: $7.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pearl flood? Yes: 183 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pearl, from FEMA’s records: 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $4K
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $4K
Pearl isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rankin County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pearl
Disasters that paid out in Pearl itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pearl), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding340 households applied for aid$320K aid approved$182K to the City of Pearl for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$15K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,575 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$559K to the City of Pearl for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods5 households applied for aid$13K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Rankin County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Pearl after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pearl archive →Pearl and its neighbors
Pearl is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| Pearl | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 183 |
| Flowood | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 176 |
| Richland | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 65 |
| Jackson | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 3,342 |
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 Pearl 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Pearl
Is Pearl at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pearl has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #54 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hail (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pearl flood?
Flood insurance has paid 183 claims in Pearl since 1979, $2.5M in all, or 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 19 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (1).
Is Pearl 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 Rankin County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pearl?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pearl’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 Pearl?
By FEMA money that reached Pearl, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,575 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $559K to the City of Pearl for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Pearl at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Pearl’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pearl.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pearl’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.