Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Senatobia faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Senatobia gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #13 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (44%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Senatobia faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Senatobia’s grade
Earthquakes are 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Senatobia, and Senatobia’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #13 of 101 in Mississippi; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Senatobia’s residents live in 3 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, Senatobia has less expected damage per building than 88% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Senatobia: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Senatobia flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Senatobia, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Senatobia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tate County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Senatobia
Disasters that paid out in Senatobia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Senatobia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm823 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$95K to the City of Senatobia for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding$10K to the City of Senatobia for repairs
Tate County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Senatobia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Senatobia archive →Get ready for what Senatobia faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Senatobia
Is Senatobia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Senatobia has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #13 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (44%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Senatobia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Senatobia since 1978, $325K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Senatobia 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 Tate County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Senatobia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Senatobia’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 Senatobia?
By FEMA money that reached Senatobia, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 823 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $95K to the City of Senatobia for repairs.
Is Senatobia at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Senatobia’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Senatobia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Senatobia’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.