Natural Disasters in Pontotoc, MS

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

50.1

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

44.8

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

68.3

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

27.9

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: FEMA

Total Declarations

20

Public Assistance

$2.6M

Individual Assistance

$187K

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

8 declarations

Public Assistance by Category

Total: $3.2M
DisasterTypeDatePA $IA $
Severe Winter Storm →Winter StormFeb 2026——
Severe Winter Storm →Winter StormJan 2026——
Hurricane Ida →HurricaneOct 2021——
Hurricane Ida →HurricaneAug 2021——
Covid-19 Pandemic →BiologicalApr 2020$31K$180K
Covid-19 →BiologicalMar 2020——
Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, and F… →Severe StormDec 2019——
Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Torn… →Severe StormApr 2019$282K—
Hurricane Gustav →HurricaneAug 2008——
Hurricane Katrina →HurricaneAug 2005$31K—
Hurricane Dennis →HurricaneJul 2005$1K—
Severe Storms, Tornadoes and High Winds →Severe StormMay 2003—$4K
Severe Storms and Flooding →Severe StormApr 2001——
Severe Storms and Tornadoes →Severe StormFeb 2001$2.3M—
Severe Winter Storms, Ice and Freezing R… →Severe Ice StormJan 1999——
Severe Winter Storm, Freeezing Rain and … →Severe StormFeb 1994——
Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding →Severe StormMay 1991——
Drought & Freezing →SnowstormFeb 1977——
Heavy Rains, Tornadoes & Flooding →Severe StormMar 1973——
Storms & Tornadoes →TornadoFeb 1971——

Showing 20 of 23 disasters

PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

3

Total Claims Paid

$48,137

Avg Claim Payout

$16,046

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

11

Federal Funding

$6,715,201

Properties Protected

6

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

3.54

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures6$6,604,630
601.1: Generators2$73,932
601.2: Generators - Regular2$0
600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan)1$36,639

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Pontotoc has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are earthquake, tornado, heat wave. The area has had 20 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (8 declarations). 3 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $2,625,036 in public assistance recovery funding. $186,772 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 11 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.