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George County, Mississippi

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Relatively Low overall risk
32nd of 82highest risk in Mississippi
$22Mexpected losses a year
32federal declarations
1 in 125homes with flood insurance
Photo: CC0

George County, Mississippi has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 58% of US counties. It ranks 32nd of 82 counties in Mississippi. The costliest hazards here are hurricanes, inland flooding and tornadoes. FEMA estimates about $22 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $909 per resident. Since 1969 it has been included in 32 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (21 major disasters). The most recent was in August 2026 (Tropical Storm Arthur). Fewer than 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (76 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $397,000 on 67 claims here.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in George County

Hurricane

Moderate
$14.3 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 4 years.
  • 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.
$4 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once a year.
  • 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.
$1.4 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 2 years.
  • 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.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
HurricaneModerate92.7
$14M
Inland floodingVery Low31.2
$4M
TornadoLow49.6
$1M
LightningModerate67.5
$501K
Heat waveLow50.4
$420K
Cold waveLow24.9
$356K
Strong windLow31.5
$340K
WildfireLow75.6
$305K
DroughtLow52.4
$190K
HailVery Low32.8
$149K
EarthquakeVery Low28.6
$71K
Ice stormVery Low26.9
$29K
Winter weatherVery Low14.5
$13K
LandslideVery Low28.8
$313
Coastal floodingVery Low16.8
$8

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively low and community resilience is relatively low in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included George County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Hurricane21
Severe Storm5
Flood2
Winter Storm2
Snowstorm1
Tropical Storm1

Most recent

Aug 3, 2026Tropical Storm ArthurMajor disaster
Feb 6, 2026Severe Winter StormMajor disaster
Jan 24, 2026Severe Winter StormEmergency
Oct 22, 2021Hurricane IdaMajor disaster
Aug 28, 2021Hurricane IdaEmergency
Dec 31, 2020Hurricane ZetaMajor disaster
Oct 28, 2020Hurricane ZetaEmergency
Oct 8, 2020Hurricane DeltaEmergency
Sep 14, 2020Hurricane SallyEmergency
Aug 23, 2020Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm LauraEmergency
Show all 32
Jul 9, 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and FloodingMajor disaster
Nov 22, 2017Hurricane NateMajor disaster
Oct 7, 2017Hurricane NateEmergency
Mar 25, 2016Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Aug 29, 2012Hurricane IsaacMajor disaster
Aug 28, 2012Tropical Storm IsaacEmergency
Sep 22, 2008Hurricane GustavMajor disaster
Aug 30, 2008Hurricane GustavEmergency
Aug 29, 2005Hurricane KatrinaMajor disaster
Jul 10, 2005Hurricane DennisMajor disaster
Sep 15, 2004Hurricane IvanMajor disaster
Oct 1, 2002Tropical Storm IsidoreMajor disaster
Jun 21, 2001Tropical Storm AllisonMajor disaster
Oct 1, 1998Hurricane GeorgesMajor disaster
Sep 28, 1998Hurricane GeorgesEmergency
May 17, 1991Severe Storms, Tornadoes & FloodingMajor disaster
Feb 28, 1990Severe Storms, Tornadoes & FloodingMajor disaster
Apr 19, 1980Storms, Flood, Mudslides & TornadoesMajor disaster
Sep 13, 1979Hurricane FredericMajor disaster
Feb 22, 1977Drought & FreezingEmergency
Apr 18, 1974Heavy Rains & FloodingMajor disaster
Aug 18, 1969Hurricane CamilleMajor disaster

Mississippi also had 11 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1959

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 202 storm reports in George County since 1959, with 4 deaths and 38 injuries and about $4.8 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F3 tornado on March 27, 1976.

25tornadoes
43hail reports, largest 2 inches
94damaging thunderstorm winds
35floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Mar 27, 1976F3–0 / 0
May 19, 1980F3–0 / 0
Feb 12, 1971F2–2 / 0
Feb 12, 1971F2–1 / 0
Apr 7, 1973F2–0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
Aug 30, 2021Flash FloodBenndale$2M
Apr 14, 2018Flash FloodRuble$500K
Feb 12, 1971Tornado–$250K
Mar 27, 1976Tornado–$250K
May 19, 1980Tornado–$250K
Mar 29, 1987Tornado–$250K

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Mar 11, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Hurricane risk by county ›

Since 1852, 24 hurricanes and 28 tropical storms have passed within 65 miles of the center of George County, 18 of them since 1950. The strongest was Hurricane Camille (1969), with top winds near 175 mph about 59 miles away.

24hurricanes
9major hurricanes (Category 3+)
28tropical storms
2021most recent: Claudette

Strongest storms nearby

DateStormStrengthClosest
Aug 18, 1969CamilleCategory 5, 175 mph59 mi
Sep 13, 1979FredericCategory 3, 125 mph61 mi
Sep 16, 2004IvanCategory 3, 120 mph65 mi
Jul 5, 1916UnnamedCategory 3, 120 mph62 mi
Sep 2, 1985ElenaCategory 3, 115 mph60 mi
Aug 12, 1860UnnamedCategory 3, 115 mph54 mi

Most recent storms

DateStormStrengthClosest
Jun 19, 2021ClaudetteTropical storm, 40 mph64 mi
Oct 29, 2020ZetaCategory 1, 95 mph53 mi
Sep 5, 2018GordonTropical storm, 70 mph57 mi
Oct 8, 2017NateCategory 1, 75 mph52 mi
Aug 29, 2005KatrinaCategory 3, 110 mph62 mi
Jul 6, 2005CindyTropical storm, 50 mph59 mi

Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center best-track records (HURDAT2), 1851 to 2025 for the Atlantic and 1949 to 2025 for the eastern Pacific. A storm counts if its track passed within 65 miles of the county's center while it was a tropical storm or hurricane. Strength is the storm's top sustained wind at that point, not the wind measured in the county. Older storms over the open sea were sometimes missed.

Flood insurance in George County

Check your address flood zone ›
0.8%of homes have federal flood insurance (76 policies)
10.3%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$397,068paid on 67 flood claims since 1978
2021costliest year, with $57,416 paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in George County

$166,900median home value (Mississippi $169,800, US $332,700)
1989median year homes were built (Mississippi 1986, US 1980)
37%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
16.6%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 10,373 housing units.

Compare in Mississippi

All 82 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Hinds CountyModerateInland flooding
Harrison CountyHighHurricane
DeSoto CountyModerateEarthquake
Rankin CountyModerateInland flooding
Jackson CountyModerateHurricane
Madison CountyModerateInland flooding
Lee CountyModerateInland flooding
Forrest CountyLowInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Mobile County, ALHigh39
Jackson CountyModerate34
Stone CountyLow29
Greene CountyVery Low31
Perry CountyVery Low31

Common questions about George County

What is the biggest natural hazard in George County?

Hurricane has the highest expected yearly losses in George County, about $14.3 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Inland flooding is second at $4 million.

How many federal disasters has George County had?

George County has been included in 32 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1969, including 21 major disasters. The most recent was Tropical Storm Arthur in August 2026.

Is George County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 32nd highest of 82 in Mississippi. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in George County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 125 homes in George County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has George County had?

NOAA records list 25 tornadoes in George County since 1950. The strongest was an F3 tornado on March 27, 1976. The weather service has also logged 43 hail reports and 35 floods here.

How many hurricanes have hit George County?

NOAA's hurricane records show 24 hurricanes and 28 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the center of George County, including 9 major hurricanes (Category 3 or stronger). The strongest was Hurricane Camille (1969), with winds near 175 mph.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.