On FEMA’s figures, Vancleave faces more hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vancleave gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #94 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2005.
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 Vancleave faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Vancleave’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vancleave, and Vancleave’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #94 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vancleave’s residents live in 2 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, Vancleave has more expected damage per building than 93% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Vancleave: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vancleave flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vancleave, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina1 claim · $29K
- Hurricane Isaac1 claim · $13K
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $80K
Vancleave isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vancleave
Disasters that paid out in Vancleave itself (aid to households or repair grants to Vancleave), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes.6 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida42 households applied for aid$102K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Zeta383 households applied for aid$550K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac187 households applied for aid$237K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $13K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,418 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $29K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan48 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
Jackson County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Vancleave after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vancleave archive →Vancleave and its neighbors
Vancleave 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancleave | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 4 |
| Gautier | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 745 |
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 Vancleave faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Vancleave
Is Vancleave at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vancleave has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #94 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vancleave flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Vancleave since 2005, $128K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (1).
Is Vancleave 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 Jackson County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 18.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vancleave?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vancleave’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 Vancleave?
By FEMA money that reached Vancleave, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 1,418 households applied for aid, $3.0M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 1 paid, $29K.
Is Vancleave at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Vancleave’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vancleave.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vancleave’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.