riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

DeSoto County Disaster Risk

DeSoto County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

89th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

80th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Risk Advisory: DeSoto County

Risk Verdict

DeSoto County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 89th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for DeSoto County, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 96th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (80th), wildfire (68th), hurricane (50th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, DeSoto County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

DeSoto County is significantly riskier than the average county in Mississippi. Its composite risk score is 38.1 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in DeSoto County, MS?
DeSoto County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 89th 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 DeSoto County?
DeSoto County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (97th percentile), earthquake (96th percentile), flooding (80th percentile), wildfire (68th percentile), hurricane (50th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 97th 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 DeSoto County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
DeSoto County's composite risk percentile is 89th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means DeSoto County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is DeSoto County at risk for tornado?
Yes, DeSoto County's tornado risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, DeSoto County is at the 80th 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.
Why is DeSoto County higher risk than average?
DeSoto County's composite risk score of 89th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (97th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lauderdale County

Mississippi

-2.0

Relatively Moderate

87th percentile

Warren County

Mississippi

-2.7

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

Pearl River County

Mississippi

-2.9

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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