Waveland, Mississippi Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Waveland faces extreme Gulf coast storm surge flooding in Hancock County. Hurricane Katrina nearly destroyed the entire city, and it remains one of the most hurricane-vulnerable communities on the Gulf Coast.
Hancock County has recorded 9,843 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $725.1M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 4
NFIP Policies
8,537
Hancock County
Avg. Premium
$1,158/yr
Hancock County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Hancock County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $9.1M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $3.3M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $18.1M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Hancock County
Hancock County has been included in 22 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 14 earlier declarations since 1998.
These declarations affected communities across Hancock County, including Waveland.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Hancock County
Properties in Hancock County have filed 9,843 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $725.1M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $74K.
Highest-Claim Years
2005
5,305 claims - $684.5M
2002
1,030 claims - $7.8M
2012
659 claims - $10.2M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Hancock County
An estimated 47% of households in Hancock County carry NFIP flood insurance.
Penetration Rate
47%
Claims Ratio
1 in 1
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$73,668
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Hancock County
Hancock County has 827 properties with multiple flood losses, including 90 severe repetitive loss properties. 88 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
827
Severe Rep. Loss
90
Mitigated
88
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: HANCOCK County
NOAA has recorded 24 flood events in HANCOCK County since 1996, causing $1.2M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Hancock County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 310 properties in Hancock County, investing $8.6M in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Waveland
Waveland is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Waveland are Zone VE, Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $9.1M. Properties in Waveland's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Coastal flood insurance premiums in Waveland are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Waveland address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Waveland
Waveland participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Waveland's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Waveland, MS Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Waveland, MS?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Waveland are Zone VE, Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Waveland?
If your Waveland property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Waveland?
Enter your Waveland address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Waveland offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Waveland participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Waveland experienced major flooding events?
Hancock County, where Waveland is located, has been part of 22 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Ida in 2021. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Waveland?
Hancock County has recorded 9,843 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $725.1M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2005, with 5,305 claims and $684.5M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Waveland.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Waveland?
Hancock County currently has 8,537 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,158. The most policies are in Zone AE (5,204 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Waveland properties have flooded repeatedly?
Hancock County has 827 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 90 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Waveland property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Waveland?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Waveland's Zone VE and Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Mississippi Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Waveland, MS Address
Enter a Waveland, MS address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.