Bolivar County Disaster Risk
Bolivar County, Mississippi
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
77th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#16
of 82 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
77th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Bolivar County, Mississippi
Bolivar County faces above-average national risk
Bolivar County scores 76.78 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low rating but well above the national average. This elevated score reflects significant and concentrated hazard exposure, particularly for flood and earthquake risks.
Mississippi's riskiest county by composition
Bolivar County's 76.78 score is the highest in Mississippi, nearly 50% above the state average of 50.94. This distinction reflects the county's precarious location in the Mississippi River Delta, where flood risk and seismic activity converge.
Dramatically riskier than all surrounding areas
Bolivar County's 76.78 score vastly exceeds all adjacent counties including Sunflower (moderate), Coahoma, and Sharkey counties. Its Delta location creates a singular environmental risk profile unmatched elsewhere in north-central Mississippi.
Floods and earthquakes define risk here
Flood risk peaks at 76.88—among the nation's highest—while earthquake risk reaches 92.18, an extraordinarily elevated score even for Mississippi. Tornado risk of 82.92 adds a third major threat, creating a hazard-rich environment across multiple categories.
Flood and earthquake insurance are essential
Given flood risk of 76.88 and earthquake risk of 92.18, Bolivar County residents must carry both separate flood insurance and earthquake coverage—standard homeowners policies exclude both. Verify that wind and tornado coverage is included, given the 82.92 tornado risk score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Bolivar County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Bolivar County
Risk Verdict
Bolivar County's FEMA risk score places it at the 77th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Bolivar County residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Bolivar County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (77th percentile), hurricane (66th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 92th percentile nationally, Bolivar County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Bolivar County's tornado risk at the 83th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in Bolivar County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.
Regional Context
The Mississippi county average is 25.8 composite points below Bolivar County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Bolivar County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Bolivar County, MS?
What types of natural hazards affect Bolivar County?
How does Bolivar County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Is Bolivar County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Bolivar County higher risk than average?
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.