Mississippi averages 5 hurricane impacts per decade. Peak season runs August – October. Know your risk, know your zone, and sign up for alerts before the season starts.
Hurricane Katrina's storm surge reached 28 feet in Pass Christian, MS — the highest recorded storm surge in U.S. history.
Mississippi coastal counties (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson) issue evacuation orders. I-10 and US-49 are primary evacuation routes.
Prep tip: The Mississippi Gulf Coast is extremely vulnerable to storm surge. If you're in a surge zone, evacuate at least 24 hours before landfall.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30. Peak activity in Mississippi typically occurs during August – October. The statistical peak of the season is September 10.
Up to 28 feet along the Mississippi Gulf Coast (Katrina record). Storm surge is the deadliest aspect of a hurricane — it can arrive hours before the storm's center. Use our storm surge lookup at /storm-surge to check your specific ZIP code.
Yes — Mississippi has a very high hurricane risk and standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage. You need a separate NFIP flood insurance policy. See our full guide at /hurricane-insurance.
Start before the season: know your evacuation zone, build a 7-day emergency kit, have a family communication plan, and sign up for local emergency alerts. Use our preparedness checklist builder at /preparedness for a personalized list.