Photo: Trevor Birchett · CC BY-SA 4.0Southaven’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southaven gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #35 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then earthquakes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 82 claims here since 1992.
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 Southaven’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Southaven 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 Southaven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southaven, and Southaven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #35 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Southaven’s residents live in 18 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, Southaven has less expected damage per building than 66% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $25.4M a year in losses across Southaven: $13.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southaven flood? Sometimes: 82 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southaven, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isaac3 claims · $49K
Southaven isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeSoto County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Southaven
Disasters that paid out in Southaven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Southaven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm1,912 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved
- 2011Flooding7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding30 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$8K to the City of Southaven for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$345K to the City of Southaven for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
DeSoto County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Southaven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southaven archive →Southaven and its neighbors
Southaven is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgetown | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hernando | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Southaven | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Horn Lake | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 78 |
| Olive Branch | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Memphis | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | 345 |
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 Southaven 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 Southaven
Is Southaven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southaven has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #35 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Southaven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 82 claims in Southaven since 1992, $2.4M in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isaac (3).
Is Southaven 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 DeSoto County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Southaven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Southaven’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 Southaven?
By FEMA money that reached Southaven, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 1,912 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isaac: 3 paid, $49K.
Is Southaven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Southaven’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southaven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southaven’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.