Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Port Gibson’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Gibson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Port Gibson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Gibson 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
Tornadoes
Hail
Hurricanes
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 Port Gibson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Gibson, and Port Gibson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Gibson’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $967K a year in losses across Port Gibson: $735K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Gibson flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Gibson, from FEMA’s records: 27.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $5K
Port Gibson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Claiborne County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Gibson
Disasters that paid out in Port Gibson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Gibson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm1,085 households applied for aid$5.0M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$14K to the City of Port Gibson for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$66K to the City of Port Gibson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the City of Port Gibson for repairs
- 2011Flooding118 households applied for aid$151K aid approved$23K to the City of Port Gibson for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$11K to the City of Port Gibson for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,321 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$23K to the City of Port Gibson for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods14 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Claiborne County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Port Gibson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Gibson archive →Get ready for what Port Gibson 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Port Gibson
Is Port Gibson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Gibson has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Gibson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Port Gibson since 1979, $112K in all, or 27.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Port Gibson 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 Claiborne County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port Gibson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Gibson’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 Port Gibson?
By FEMA money that reached Port Gibson, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 1,085 households applied for aid, $5.0M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $5K.
Is Port Gibson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Port Gibson’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Gibson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Gibson’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.