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

Claiborne County Disaster Risk

Claiborne County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

25th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#68

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

26th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% 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 39% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Claiborne County, Mississippi

Claiborne Sits Well Below National Average

Claiborne County's composite risk score of 24.75 earns a Very Low rating, placing it significantly safer than the national average. This central Mississippi county faces relatively modest natural disaster exposure compared to the typical American county.

Among Mississippi's Safest Counties

With a score of 24.75, Claiborne ranks in the safest quartile of Mississippi's 82 counties, well below the state average of 50.94. The county's risk profile reflects favorable positioning relative to most of its peers statewide.

Safer Than Most Regional Peers

Claiborne County's 24.75 score beats nearby Chickasaw (43.92) and Clarke (36.04) counties, though it sits slightly higher than champion Choctaw County (11.55). Its favorable risk position extends across its region relative to western and northern neighbors.

Tornado and Hurricane Risks Dominate

Claiborne residents face the highest exposure to tornadoes (66.63) and hurricanes (67.92), both above state averages. Flood risk at 25.76 remains moderate, while earthquake (38.99) and wildfire risks (29.20) pose minimal threats.

Prioritize Storm and Hurricane Coverage

Homeowners should ensure comprehensive protection against tornadoes and hurricanes through proper homeowners insurance and structural reinforcement. A reinforced safe room or shelter provides essential protection during severe storm seasons in this region.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Claiborne County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    67th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    39th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Claiborne County

Risk Verdict

Claiborne County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 25th percentile nationally. Claiborne County residents can take confidence from a 25th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Claiborne County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (39th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile), flood (26th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Claiborne County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 68th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Claiborne County's tornado exposure at the 67th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Claiborne County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The Mississippi county average exceeds Claiborne County's score by 26.2 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Claiborne 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 Claiborne County, MS?
Claiborne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 25th 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 Claiborne County?
Claiborne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (68th percentile), tornado (67th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile), flooding (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 68th 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 Claiborne County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Claiborne County's composite risk percentile is 25th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Claiborne County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Claiborne County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Claiborne County's hurricane risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Claiborne County is at the 26th 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 Claiborne County a safe place to live?
Claiborne County's composite risk score of 25th 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 68th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lawrence County

Mississippi

+0.3

Very Low

25th percentile

Walthall County

Mississippi

+0.8

Very Low

26th percentile

Carroll County

Mississippi

-1.4

Very Low

23th percentile

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.

Explore more data for Claiborne County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score