Photo: Calvin Beale · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Waynesboro than in 86% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waynesboro gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #75 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 Waynesboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waynesboro 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
Hurricanes
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 Waynesboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waynesboro, and Waynesboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 42%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #75 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waynesboro’s residents live in 3 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, Waynesboro has more expected damage per building than 74% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Waynesboro: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waynesboro flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waynesboro, from FEMA’s records: 10.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $22K
Waynesboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waynesboro
Disasters that paid out in Waynesboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waynesboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding39 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding317 households applied for aid$281K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding171 households applied for aid$64K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac4 households applied for aid$404 aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina4,623 households applied for aid$5.0M aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Ivan830 households applied for aid$931K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods120 households applied for aid$192K aid approved
Wayne County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Waynesboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waynesboro archive →Get ready for what Waynesboro 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.
- 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.
- 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 Waynesboro
Is Waynesboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waynesboro has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #75 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waynesboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Waynesboro since 1979, $280K in all, or 10.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Waynesboro 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 Wayne County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waynesboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waynesboro’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 Waynesboro?
By FEMA money that reached Waynesboro, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 4,623 households applied for aid, $5.0M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $22K.
Is Waynesboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Waynesboro’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waynesboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waynesboro’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.