Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Ripley as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ripley gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #34 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then earthquakes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Ripley 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 Ripley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ripley, and Ripley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #34 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ripley’s residents live in 4 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, Ripley has less expected damage per building than 67% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Ripley: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ripley flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ripley, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ripley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tippah County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ripley
Disasters that paid out in Ripley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ripley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm1,192 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Ripley for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding55 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$86K to the City of Ripley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$11K to the City of Ripley for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$26K to the City of Ripley for repairs
Tippah County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Ripley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ripley archive →Get ready for what Ripley 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 Ripley
Is Ripley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ripley has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #34 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ripley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ripley since 2010, $24K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ripley 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 Tippah County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ripley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ripley’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 Ripley?
By FEMA money that reached Ripley, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 1,192 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved, and $1.1M to the City of Ripley for repairs.
Is Ripley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Ripley’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ripley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ripley’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.