Photo: OzarksRazorback · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Vicksburg faces more hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vicksburg gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #68 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hail (24%). Flood insurance has paid 669 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 stands out about Vicksburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Vicksburg 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
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 Vicksburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vicksburg, and Vicksburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 24%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #68 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vicksburg’s residents live in 11 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, Vicksburg has more expected damage per building than 67% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.3M a year in losses across Vicksburg: $9.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vicksburg flood? Yes: 669 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vicksburg, from FEMA’s records: 63.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms9 claims · $1.3M
Vicksburg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Warren County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vicksburg
Disasters that paid out in Vicksburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Vicksburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm2,450 households applied for aid$5.7M aid approved$219K to the City of Vicksburg for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$111K to the City of Vicksburg for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$1.8M to the City of Vicksburg for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$65K to the City of Vicksburg for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding231 households applied for aid$458K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding77 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
Show all 14
- 2012Hurricane Isaac190 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$3K to the City of Vicksburg for repairs
- 2011Flooding835 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$426K to the City of Vicksburg for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$32K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$6K to the City of Vicksburg for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding132 households applied for aid$570K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina5,211 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$191K to the City of Vicksburg for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods238 households applied for aid$965K aid approved$152K to the City of Vicksburg for repairs41 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Severe Winter Storms, Ice and Freezing Rain$29K to the City of Vicksburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Warren County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Vicksburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vicksburg archive →Vicksburg and its neighbors
Vicksburg is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beechwood | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Vicksburg | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 669 |
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 Vicksburg 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.
- 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.
- Vicksburg residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Vicksburg
Is Vicksburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vicksburg has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #68 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hail (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vicksburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 669 claims in Vicksburg since 1978, $12.1M in all, or 63.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 66 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (9).
Is Vicksburg 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 Warren County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vicksburg?
Vicksburg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Vicksburg?
By FEMA money that reached Vicksburg, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 2,450 households applied for aid, $5.7M approved, and $219K to the City of Vicksburg for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 9 paid, $1.3M.
Is Vicksburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Vicksburg’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vicksburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vicksburg’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.