Photo: Roastedbeanz1 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Waveland than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waveland gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #87 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (56%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 1,418 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 Waveland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waveland 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
Coastal 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 Waveland’s grade
Hurricanes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waveland, and Waveland’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #87 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waveland’s residents live in 6 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, Waveland has more expected damage per building than 86% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Waveland: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waveland flood? Yes: 1,418 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waveland, from FEMA’s records: 371.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina1,193 claims · $182M
- Hurricane Isaac26 claims · $648K
- Tropical Storm Isidore17 claims · $112K
Waveland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waveland
Disasters that paid out in Waveland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waveland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur47 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$853 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida46 households applied for aid$34K aid approved13 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Zeta354 households applied for aid$250K aid approved$5.2M to the City of Waveland for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac246 households applied for aid$67K aid approved$855K to the City of Waveland for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $648K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav90 households applied for aid$67K aid approved$3.3M to the City of Waveland for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $66K
Show all 12
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1,193 flood claims paid for it, $182M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina4,912 households applied for aid$47.8M aid approved$128M to the City of Waveland for repairs1,193 flood claims paid for it, $182M
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$17K to the City of Waveland for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan8 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$112K to the City of Waveland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$246K to the City of Waveland for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $112K
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$8K to the City of Waveland for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $82K
Hancock County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Waveland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waveland archive →Waveland and its neighbors
Waveland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waveland | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 1,418 |
| Bay St. Louis | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,392 |
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 Waveland 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Waveland residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Waveland
Is Waveland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waveland has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #87 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (56%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waveland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,418 claims in Waveland since 1978, $185M in all, or 371.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 43 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (1,193).
Is Waveland 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 Hancock County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 33.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waveland?
Waveland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Waveland?
By FEMA money that reached Waveland, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 4,912 households applied for aid, $47.8M approved, and $128M to the City of Waveland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 1,193 paid, $182M.
Is Waveland at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Waveland’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waveland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waveland’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.