Enter any address in Hancock County, Mississippi to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Hancock County, Mississippi, with 19 recorded instances in the last 30 years. However, storm surge and tropical storm events also pose significant risks. For example, Hurricane Francine in September 2024 brought a storm surge of 4-6 feet to low-lying coastal areas and caused several inches of rain to flood roads. Earlier in June 2024, elevated winds for several days led to rising tides along the coast.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows a substantial number of claims filed in Zone A, with an average payout of $66,979 and an average water depth of 29.1 feet. Claims in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X_UNSHADED also show high average payouts, $120,082 and $110,558 respectively, with significant average water depths of 48.0 feet and 32.5 feet. Residents in coastal areas, as well as those in properties located in Zone A or without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Hancock County, Mississippi has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 32 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 8, 2024 |
| Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Aug 28, 2021 |
| Hurricane Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 28, 2020 |
| Hurricane Delta | Hurricane | Oct 7, 2020 |
| Hurricane Sally | Hurricane | Sep 14, 2020 |
| Hurricane Marco And Tropical Storm Laura | Hurricane | Aug 23, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Nate | Hurricane | Oct 6, 2017 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Storm Surge/Tide | Jun 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Sep 11, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 15, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 12, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 12, 2019 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 14, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2015 | 0.00K |
Storm Surge/Tide — Jun 16, 2024
As a surface ridge nearby shifted off to the northeast during the 3rd weekend of June, light and variable winds became onshore and more steady state. By June 16th, the surface ridge shifted offshore into the Atlantic Ocean and a surface low pressure was developing as it crossed the Yucatan Peninsula. It was at this point that east to southeast winds increased to 15-20 knots across local coastal...
Tropical Storm — Sep 11, 2024
Hurricane Francine formed as a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico on September 9, 2024, and intensified into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall near Houma, Louisiana, on the morning of September 11. Coastal counties of Mississippi experienced sustained tropical storm force winds and gusts which caused mostly minor damage to some homes and powerlines. A storm surge of 4-6 feet inun...
Storm Surge/Tide — Sep 11, 2024
Hurricane Francine formed as a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico on September 9, 2024, and intensified into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall near Houma, Louisiana, on the morning of September 11. Coastal counties of Mississippi experienced sustained tropical storm force winds and gusts which caused mostly minor damage to some homes and powerlines. A storm surge of 4-6 feet inun...
Flash Flood — Apr 15, 2021
A line of thunderstorms moving along a stalled frontal boundary draped across the coastal waters produced heavy rainfall resulting in flash flooding.
Flood — May 12, 2019
A stationary front combined with a strong upper air impulse and very moist air produced multiple bands of thunderstorms. Several areas received multiple rounds of thunderstorms which produced flash flooding.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Hancock County, Mississippi:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Hancock County, Mississippi that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.