Covington County Disaster Risk
Covington County, Mississippi
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
51th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#42
of 82 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
42th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 42% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 63% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 45% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Covington County, Mississippi
Covington County Near National Average
Covington County scores 50.83 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting virtually at the national average. This south-central Mississippi county faces natural disaster exposure typical of American communities.
Right at Mississippi State Average
Covington County's composite score of 50.83 sits nearly identical to Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it squarely in the middle of the 82-county distribution. The county represents a typical risk profile for the state.
Riskier Than Inland Neighbors
Covington County's 50.83 score exceeds inland counties like Claiborne (24.75) and Clarke (36.04) but trails Copiah County (61.29) to the north. The county's elevated risk stems from exceptional hurricane exposure (87.78), the highest in its region.
Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Wildfires Lead
Covington residents face exceptional hurricane risk at 87.78—among Mississippi's highest—elevated tornado risk at 62.53, and notable wildfire exposure at 55.57. Flood risk at 42.24 adds to a diverse hazard profile reflecting coastal-influenced storms.
Hurricane and Wildfire Protection Essential
Homeowners should prioritize comprehensive hurricane coverage and consider wildfire insurance given Covington's elevated exposure to both hazards. Storm reinforcement—including roof straps and impact-resistant windows—provides critical protection against the county's dominant hurricane and tornado threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Covington County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Covington County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Covington County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 51th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Covington County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Covington County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (56th percentile), earthquake (45th percentile), flood (42th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane exposure at the 88th percentile nationally makes Covington County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Covington County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Tornado at the 63th percentile nationally is Covington County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Covington County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.
Regional Context
Covington County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Mississippi county average, with a 0.1-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Covington County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Covington County, MS?
What types of natural hazards affect Covington County?
How does Covington County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Is Covington County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Covington 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.