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Hancock County, Mississippi
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
Hancock County, Mississippi, has 382 weather events in the NCEI Storm Events record since 1950, most of them damaging wind.
That is 80.6 events per 100 square miles, in line with the Mississippi figure of 89.7, and 82.9 per 10,000 residents against 142.8 statewide.
24 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 58 deaths and 18 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $5.0B.
FEMA has designated the county in 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Tropical Storm Arthur (major disaster, 3 Aug 2026).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 9,927 claims since 1978, of which 8,777 were paid, totalling $746M (about $85K per paid claim). FEMA counts 6,730 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively Moderate" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively Low" ($38M a year across 18 hazards).
93 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 14 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Mississippi and the United States
| Measure | Hancock County | Mississippi | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 382 | 42,114 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 80.6 | 89.7 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 82.9 | 142.8 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 24 | 1,524 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 58 | 928 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $5.0B | $31B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 215.5 | 21.9 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $85K | $58K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 8.2 | 11.5 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 165 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 161 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Aug 2005 | Hurricane (Typhoon) | Tropical | — | $1.5B | — | 56 | — | Forecast zone |
| 29 Aug 2005 | Storm Surge/Tide | Tropical | — | $3.4B | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Aug 1998 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 15 Aug 2005 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 19 May 1980 | Tornado | Tornado | F3 | $25M | — | — | 8 | County |
| 12 Feb 1984 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 4 | County |
| 28 Oct 2020 | Hurricane (Typhoon) | Tropical | — | $40M | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 2 Mar 1972 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $250K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 13 Feb 1952 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 27 Sep 1998 | Hurricane (Typhoon) | Tropical | — | $20M | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Apr 1994 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $500K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 7 May 1972 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $25K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 28 Oct 2020 | Storm Surge/Tide | Tropical | — | $10M | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 25 Sep 2002 | Tropical Storm | Tropical | — | $6.3M | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 Jul 2005 | Tropical Storm | Tropical | — | $3.8M | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 29 Aug 2021 | Hurricane (Typhoon) | Tropical | — | $3.0M | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 Aug 2012 | Storm Surge/Tide | Tropical | — | $2.1M | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 2 Oct 2002 | Tropical Storm | Tropical | — | $1.7M | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Sep 2008 | Storm Surge/Tide | Tropical | — | $1.3M | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Sep 2008 | Hurricane (Typhoon) | Tropical | — | $750K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Aug 2026 | DR-4930 | Major disaster | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Arthur | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 6 Feb 2026 | DR-4899 | Major disaster | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 24 Jan 2026 | EM-3640 | Emergency | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 10 Jun 2024 | DR-4790 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 22 Oct 2021 | DR-4626 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Aug 2021 | EM-3569 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida | Public assistance |
| 31 Dec 2020 | DR-4576 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Oct 2020 | EM-3550 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta | Public assistance |
| 8 Oct 2020 | EM-3548 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta | Public assistance |
| 14 Sep 2020 | EM-3544 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally | Public assistance |
| 23 Aug 2020 | EM-3539 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Marco And Tropical Storm Laura | Public assistance |
| 5 Apr 2020 | DR-4528 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3474 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 22 Nov 2017 | DR-4350 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate | Public assistance |
| 7 Oct 2017 | EM-3393 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate | Public assistance |
| 29 Aug 2012 | DR-4081 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaac | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Aug 2012 | EM-3348 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaac | Public assistance |
| 22 Sep 2008 | DR-1794 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 30 Aug 2008 | EM-3291 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav | Public assistance |
| 29 Aug 2005 | DR-1604 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Aug 2005 | EM-3213 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina | Public assistance |
| 10 Jul 2005 | DR-1594 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Dennis | Public assistance |
| 15 Sep 2004 | DR-1550 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Ivan | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 1 Oct 2002 | DR-1436 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isidore | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 21 Jun 2001 | DR-1382 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Allison | Public assistance |
| 1 Oct 1998 | DR-1251 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Georges | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Sep 1998 | EM-3132 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Georges | Public assistance |
| 12 May 1995 | DR-1051 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 17 May 1991 | DR-906 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Sep 1979 | DR-599 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Frederic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 16 Apr 1979 | DR-577 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Storms, Tornadoes, Floods | Public assistance |
| 22 Feb 1977 | EM-3032 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Drought & Freezing | Public assistance |
| 18 Apr 1974 | DR-430 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 84 | 73 | $1,077,179 | $14,756 |
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2024 | 12 | 8 | $247,990 | $30,999 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2022 | 5 | 2 | $34,688 | $17,344 |
| 2021 | 219 | 196 | $6,389,889 | $32,601 |
| 2020 | 195 | 153 | $1,233,325 | $8,061 |
| 2019 | 10 | 6 | $296,244 | $49,374 |
| 2018 | 10 | 7 | $255,555 | $36,508 |
| 2017 | 15 | 10 | $169,704 | $16,970 |
| 2016 | 14 | 9 | $150,758 | $16,751 |
| 2015 | 5 | 3 | $31,660 | $10,553 |
| 2014 | 9 | 4 | $71,913 | $17,978 |
| 2013 | 4 | 1 | $8,842 | $8,842 |
| 2012 | 659 | 525 | $10,378,958 | $19,769 |
| 2011 | 9 | 6 | $160,779 | $26,796 |
| 2010 | 17 | 11 | $281,542 | $25,595 |
| 2009 | 12 | 9 | $108,185 | $12,021 |
| 2008 | 623 | 517 | $6,795,394 | $13,144 |
| 2007 | 2 | 1 | $19,763 | $19,763 |
| 2006 | 6 | 5 | $65,031 | $13,006 |
| 2005 | 5,305 | 5,179 | $703,519,014 | $135,841 |
| 2004 | 34 | 23 | $138,580 | $6,025 |
| 2003 | 54 | 46 | $334,294 | $7,267 |
| 2002 | 1,030 | 838 | $7,892,034 | $9,418 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | $18,055,853 | |
| Inland flooding | $9,094,278 | |
| Coastal flooding | $3,252,082 | |
| Tornado | $2,567,734 | |
| Wildfire | $1,142,140 | |
| Cold wave | $1,133,949 | |
| Heat wave | $1,062,704 | |
| Lightning | $999,807 | |
| Strong wind | $273,883 | |
| Hail | $251,117 | |
| Drought | $168,295 | |
| Earthquake | $157,146 | |
| Ice storm | $35,573 | |
| Winter weather | $28,928 | |
| Landslide | $69 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Francine | 2024 | 49 mi | 52 mph |
| Claudette | 2021 | 29 mi | 40 mph |
| Ida | 2021 | 75 mi | 150 mph |
| Cristobal | 2020 | 48 mi | 52 mph |
| Zeta | 2020 | 28 mi | 98 mph |
| Olga | 2019 | 95 mi | 52 mph |
| Gordon | 2018 | 49 mi | 69 mph |
| Nate | 2017 | 29 mi | 86 mph |
| Isaac | 2012 | 92 mi | 81 mph |
| Lee | 2011 | 39 mi | 46 mph |
| Ida | 2009 | 67 mi | 58 mph |
| Cindy | 2005 | 13 mi | 75 mph |
| Katrina | 2005 | 15 mi | 127 mph |
| Ivan | 2004 | 95 mi | 121 mph |
| Bill | 2003 | 49 mi | 52 mph |
| Bertha | 2002 | 56 mi | 40 mph |
| Hanna | 2002 | 49 mi | 58 mph |
| Isidore | 2002 | 37 mi | 63 mph |
| Allison | 2001 | 22 mi | 46 mph |
| Georges | 1998 | 32 mi | 109 mph |
| Danny | 1997 | 56 mi | 81 mph |
| Erin | 1995 | 91 mi | 52 mph |
| Beryl | 1988 | 48 mi | 52 mph |
| Florence | 1988 | 50 mi | 81 mph |
| Elena | 1985 | 17 mi | 115 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Hancock County, MS?
NCEI records 61 hail events in Hancock County since 1950, in 31 different years; that is about 0.8 recorded events a year. 19 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Hancock County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 67 tornadoes in Hancock County since 1950, 9 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 0.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Hancock County?
3 Aug 2026: Tropical Storm Arthur, a major disaster declaration for tropical storm. The county appears in 33 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Hancock County, and how much was paid?
9,927 NFIP claims since 1978, 8,777 of them paid, for $746M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Hancock County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively Moderate" for overall risk, "Relatively Low" for expected annual loss, "Relatively High" for social vulnerability and "Relatively High" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Hancock County compare with the rest of Mississippi?
80.6 recorded events per 100 square miles against 89.7 statewide, and 215.5 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 21.9. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.