Clay County Disaster Risk
Clay County, Mississippi
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
43th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#52
of 82 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
34th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 26% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 75% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Clay County, Mississippi
Clay County Below National Average
Clay County scores 42.53 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting below both the national average and Mississippi's state average of 50.94. North-central Mississippi residents face relatively modest natural disaster exposure overall.
Safer Than Average for Mississippi
Clay County ranks in the lower half of Mississippi's 82 counties for disaster risk, with a composite score 16% below the state average. This positioning reflects favorable hazard exposure relative to most other Mississippi counties.
Comparable Risk to Regional Peers
Clay County's 42.53 score closely mirrors Chickasaw County (43.92) but exceeds Choctaw (11.55) and Claiborne (24.75) to the south. The county faces notably lower risk than Coahoma County (62.50) to the west, which experiences exceptional earthquake exposure.
Tornadoes and Earthquakes Pose Greatest Threat
Clay County residents face the highest exposure to tornadoes (75.10) and earthquakes (79.55), both well above national averages. While tornado risk is common across Mississippi, the elevated earthquake threat reflects the county's proximity to the Mississippi River seismic zone.
Reinforce Against Quakes and Tornadoes
Homeowners should obtain earthquake insurance and ensure structural reinforcement for tornado protection, including a safe room or shelter. Securing your home's foundation and anchoring your roof provide cost-effective protection against the county's primary hazards.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Clay County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Clay County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Clay County ranks at the 43th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A 43th percentile score positions Clay County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Clay County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (70th percentile), flood (34th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 80th percentile nationally, Clay County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Tornado at the 75th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Clay County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Earthquake insurance in Clay 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
At 8.4 points below the Mississippi state average, Clay County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Clay County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Clay County, MS?
What types of natural hazards affect Clay County?
How does Clay County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Is Clay County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Clay County a safe place to live?
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.