Natural Disasters in Independence, MS
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
41.2
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
40.1
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
54.7
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
36.7
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
17
Public Assistance
$413K
Individual Assistance
$70K
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
7 declarations
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm → | Winter Storm | Feb 2026 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storm → | Winter Storm | Jan 2026 | — | — |
| Hurricane Ida → | Hurricane | Oct 2021 | — | — |
| Hurricane Ida → | Hurricane | Aug 2021 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Apr 2020 | $86K | — |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Apr 2020 | $66K | $70K |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Flood | Mar 2016 | $130K | — |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding → | Severe Storm | Apr 2011 | $10K | — |
| Hurricane Gustav → | Hurricane | Aug 2008 | — | — |
| Hurricane Katrina → | Hurricane | Aug 2005 | $8K | — |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Dec 2001 | $112K | — |
| Severe Storms and Tornadoes → | Severe Storm | Feb 2001 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storm, Freeezing Rain and Sleet → | Severe Storm | Feb 1994 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding → | Severe Storm | May 1991 | — | — |
| Drought & Freezing → | Snowstorm | Feb 1977 | — | — |
| Heavy Rains, Tornadoes & Flooding → | Severe Storm | Mar 1973 | — | — |
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
38
Total Claims Paid
$1,476,681
Avg Claim Payout
$38,860
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
8
Federal Funding
$1,523,728
Properties Protected
1
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
2.51
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures | 3 | $1,155,534 |
| 601.1: Generators | 2 | $336,858 |
| 600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan) | 1 | $21,056 |
| 602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation | 1 | $10,280 |
| 403.1: Stormwater Management - Culverts | 1 | $0 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Independence has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are earthquake, heat wave, tornado. The area has had 17 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (7 declarations). 38 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $412,570 in public assistance recovery funding. $69,598 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 8 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.