Hattiesburg, Mississippi: natural disaster risk
How exposed Hattiesburg is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Forrest County.
Hattiesburg is a city of 48,619 people in Forrest County, Mississippi. Parts of Hattiesburg also reach into Lamar County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Forrest County relatively low for natural hazards overall, lower than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, tornado and hurricane, with about $33.3 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 750 storm reports in the county since 1957, including 48 tornadoes and 142 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 18 hurricanes and 35 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center, 5 of them major. About 1.8% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Forrest County, the county with most of the population Hattiesburg sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Hattiesburg
Full Forrest County report ›- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
- Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
- Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $11M | |
| Tornado | $8M | |
| Hurricane | $7M | |
| Strong wind | $2M | |
| Heat wave | $2M | |
| Lightning | $1M | |
| Hail | $681K | |
| Cold wave | $639K | |
| Earthquake | $629K | |
| Wildfire | $414K | |
| Ice storm | $130K | |
| Winter weather | $83K |
Homes in Hattiesburg
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Forrest County
Common questions about Hattiesburg
Is Hattiesburg safe from natural disasters?
Hattiesburg is in Forrest County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively low overall, lower than most of the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, tornado, hurricane. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Hattiesburg?
By expected yearly losses in Forrest County, the top hazards are inland flooding (Low), tornado (High), hurricane (Moderate). Forrest County has been part of 30 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Hattiesburg get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 48 tornadoes in Forrest County since 1950; the strongest was an EF3 tornado on January 21, 2017 near Bonhomie. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.
Do I need flood insurance in Hattiesburg?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Forrest County, about 1.8% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk low. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.