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

George County Disaster Risk

George County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

58th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#32

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

31th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in George County, Mississippi

George County faces moderate disaster risk

George County's composite risk score of 57.95 and relatively low rating position it near national averages for natural hazard exposure. The county experiences mixed vulnerability across different disaster types, with some hazards presenting greater concern than others.

Slightly above Mississippi's average risk

George County's score of 57.95 exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it in the mid-to-upper range of the state's risk distribution. Residents face moderately elevated exposure compared to the typical Mississippi county.

Riskier than nearby Franklin County

George County's 57.95 score substantially exceeds Franklin County's 17.33 to the west but aligns closely with Grenada County's 55.41 to the northwest. The county occupies a moderate-risk zone within its broader region.

Hurricanes and wildfires lead the threats

George County faces exceptional hurricane risk at 92.66 and notable wildfire risk at 75.57, reflecting its southeastern location and landscape conditions. Tornado risk at 49.55 presents lower but still measurable concern for residents.

Hurricane protection is your priority

Given George County's dominant hurricane exposure, ensure your policy includes comprehensive wind and water damage coverage with adequate limits. Secure outdoor structures, trim vegetation near your home, and keep emergency supplies ready during hurricane season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in George County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    76th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    50th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: George County

Risk Verdict

George County's FEMA risk score places it at the 58th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is George County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (50th percentile), flood (31th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 93th percentile nationally, George County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. George County's wildfire exposure at the 76th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. George County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

The Mississippi county average is 7.0 composite points below George County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for George 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 George County, MS?
George County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 58th 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 George County?
George County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (93th percentile), wildfire (76th percentile), tornado (50th percentile), flooding (31th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane 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 George County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
George County's composite risk percentile is 58th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means George County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is George County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, George County's hurricane risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, George County is at the 31th 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 George County higher risk than average?
George County's composite risk score of 58th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (93th percentile), along with wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.