riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Forrest County Disaster Risk

Forrest County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

78th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#15

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

70th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Forrest County

Risk Verdict

Forrest County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 78th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Forrest County, scoring in the 93th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 90th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (82th), flood (70th), earthquake (69th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Forrest 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 hurricane 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

Forrest County is significantly riskier than the average county in Mississippi. Its composite risk score is 27.1 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 Forrest County, MS?
Forrest County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 78th 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 Forrest County?
Forrest County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (93th percentile), hurricane (90th percentile), wildfire (82th percentile), flooding (70th percentile), earthquake (69th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 93th 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 Forrest County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Forrest County's composite risk percentile is 78th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Forrest County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Forrest County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Forrest County's tornado risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Forrest County is at the 70th 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 Forrest County higher risk than average?
Forrest County's composite risk score of 78th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (93th percentile), along with hurricane and wildfire and flooding and earthquake 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

Bolivar County

Mississippi

-1.3

Relatively Low

77th percentile

Jones County

Mississippi

+2.2

Relatively Low

80th percentile

Lowndes County

Mississippi

+2.9

Relatively Low

81th 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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