Natural Disaster Risk in Gulfport

Natural Hazard Profile: Gulfport, Mississippi

Gulfport is a city of 55,059 residents in Harrison County, in the Deep South. The area experiences very hot, humid summers and mild winters, with overlapping tornado and hurricane seasons shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Gulfport.

FEMA rates Gulfport's composite natural disaster risk at 7.8 out of 10 — high risk. The risk of coastal inundation tops the local hazard profile, with the area exposed to storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action during major coastal storm events. Residents should also account for hurricane and lightning risk in their preparedness planning.

Gulfport's risk score, considerably above the 6.1/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Harrison County, the highest-scoring are coastal flood, hurricane, and lightning. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Gulfport's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.