riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Amite County Disaster Risk

Amite County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

48th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#47

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

46th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Amite County, Mississippi

Amite County just below national average risk

Amite County scores 48.22 on the composite risk scale, landing in the relatively low risk category and slightly below the national average. This moderate profile masks significant risk concentration in specific hazards like hurricanes and wildfires.

Lower-risk county within Mississippi

Amite County's 48.22 score sits below Mississippi's 50.94 state average, placing it in the safer half of the state's counties. Still, this relatively favorable position doesn't eliminate meaningful exposure to Gulf-driven hurricanes and seasonal storms.

Similar risk to Pike and Wilkinson counties

Amite County's 48.22 score closely mirrors neighboring Pike County, both occupying the safer tier of southwest Mississippi. However, all three counties in this region face elevated hurricane risk due to proximity to the Gulf Coast.

Hurricanes and wildfires pose acute threats

Hurricane risk dominates at 86.27—among the highest in Mississippi due to coastal exposure—while wildfire risk reaches 61.16, reflecting the county's timber resources and seasonal fire seasons. Tornado risk of 67.14 adds a third seasonal threat during spring months.

Hurricane coverage is non-negotiable

With a hurricane risk score of 86.27, wind and storm surge coverage must be prioritized in your homeowners policy. Additionally, separate wildfire insurance or coverage riders make sense given the 61.16 wildfire risk score in this timber-rich county.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Amite County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    67th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    61th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Amite County

Risk Verdict

At the 48th percentile nationally, Amite County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. A 48th percentile score positions Amite County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Amite County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (61th percentile), flood (46th percentile), earthquake (34th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Amite County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 86th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 67th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Amite County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Amite County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

At 2.7 points from the Mississippi county mean, Amite County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Amite County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Amite County, MS?
Amite County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 48th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Amite County?
Amite County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (86th percentile), tornado (67th percentile), wildfire (61th percentile), flooding (46th percentile), earthquake (34th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 86th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Amite County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Amite County's composite risk percentile is 48th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Amite County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Amite County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Amite County's hurricane risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Amite County is at the 46th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Amite County a safe place to live?
Amite County's composite risk score of 48th percentile is below the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 86th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.