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

Greene County Disaster Risk

Greene County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

42th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#53

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

38th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Greene County, Mississippi

Greene County has low disaster risk overall

Greene County's composite risk score of 42.18 and very low rating place it well below the national average for natural hazard exposure. The county enjoys substantially reduced vulnerability across most major disaster types.

Below Mississippi's average risk level

At 42.18, Greene County scores below Mississippi's state average of 50.94, positioning it among the safer counties statewide. Residents experience meaningfully lower disaster exposure than the typical Mississippi county.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Greene County's 42.18 score exceeds only Franklin County's 17.33 in the immediate region but significantly trails Forrest County's 78.05 and George County's 57.95. The county occupies a safer zone compared to its neighbors.

Hurricane and wildfire pose modest risks

Greene County's highest-risk hazard is hurricane at 87.48, followed by wildfire at 73.28, both elevated but manageable threats. Flood, tornado, and earthquake risks all score well below state averages, limiting overall exposure.

Standard coverage with hurricane focus

Greene County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides solid baseline protection for most residents. Prioritize wind coverage given hurricane exposure, and periodically review policy limits to match current property values.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Greene County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    73th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    57th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Greene County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Greene County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 42th percentile. Greene County residents can take confidence from a 42th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Greene County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 73th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (57th percentile), flood (38th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 87th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Greene County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 73th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Greene County independent of hurricane season. For Greene County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Greene County is 8.8 composite risk points below the Mississippi state mean, meaning most other Mississippi counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Greene 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 Greene County, MS?
Greene County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 42th 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 Greene County?
Greene County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (87th percentile), wildfire (73th percentile), tornado (57th percentile), flooding (38th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 87th 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 Greene County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Greene County's composite risk percentile is 42th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Greene County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Greene County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Greene County's hurricane risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Greene County is at the 38th 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.
Is Greene County a safe place to live?
Greene County's composite risk score of 42th percentile is below the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 87th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.