Photo: Joe C Furr · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Terry than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Terry gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hail (18%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Terry’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Terry 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
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 Terry’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Terry, and Terry’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Terry’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $445K a year in losses across Terry: $309K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Terry flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Terry, from FEMA’s records: 30.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $7K
Terry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hinds County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Terry
Disasters that paid out in Terry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Terry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding224 households applied for aid$207K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac7 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,078 households applied for aid$535K aid approved$12K to the Town of Terry for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Hinds County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Terry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Terry archive →Terry and its neighbors
Terry has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terry | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Byram | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Terry 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.
- 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 Terry
Is Terry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Terry has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hail (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Terry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Terry since 1979, $239K in all, or 30.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (1).
Is Terry 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 Hinds County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Terry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Terry’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 Terry?
By FEMA money that reached Terry, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 1,078 households applied for aid, $535K approved, and $12K to the Town of Terry for repairs. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Terry at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Terry’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Terry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Terry’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.