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

Carroll County Disaster Risk

Carroll County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#69

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

20th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Carroll County, Mississippi

Carroll County: very low national risk

Carroll County scores 23.31 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low risk category and far below the national average. This excellent standing reflects minimal exposure to major natural hazards across the board.

Among Mississippi's lowest-risk counties

Carroll County's 23.31 score ranks well below Mississippi's 50.94 state average, positioning it among the state's safest counties. Only a handful of counties in Mississippi achieve comparably low risk profiles.

Safest in the immediate region

Carroll County's 23.31 score significantly outperforms neighboring Attala, Grenada, and Montgomery counties in overall risk. Its east-central location provides natural protection from coastal hurricane impacts and Delta flooding.

All risks remain modest and manageable

Earthquake risk is Carroll County's highest concern at 61.67, followed by hurricane risk at 58.66 and tornado risk at 47.33—all moderate by state standards. Flood risk of just 20.39 is among Mississippi's lowest, and wildfire risk remains minimal.

Basic homeowners coverage suffices

Standard homeowners insurance with standard wind and hail coverage should adequately protect your home in Carroll County. Flood insurance is likely unnecessary for most residents given the county's very low 20.39 flood risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Carroll County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    47th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Carroll County

Risk Verdict

Carroll County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 23th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Carroll County's favorable 23th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Carroll County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (47th percentile), wildfire (47th percentile), flood (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 62th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Carroll County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. The county's hurricane risk at the 59th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Carroll County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

Carroll County falls 27.6 points below Mississippi's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Carroll 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 Carroll County, MS?
Carroll County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Carroll County?
Carroll County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (62th percentile), hurricane (59th percentile), tornado (47th percentile), wildfire (47th percentile), flooding (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 62th 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 Carroll County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Carroll County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Carroll County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Carroll County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Carroll County's earthquake risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Carroll County is at the 20th 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 Carroll County a safe place to live?
Carroll County's composite risk score of 23th 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 earthquake at the 62th 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.