Grenada County Disaster Risk
Grenada County, Mississippi
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
55th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#37
of 82 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
59th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 75% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Grenada County, Mississippi
Grenada County carries moderate national risk
Grenada County's composite risk score of 55.41 and relatively low rating position it near the national average for natural hazard exposure. The county experiences mixed vulnerability, with notable risks in some hazard categories and lower exposure in others.
Slightly above Mississippi's state average
Grenada County's score of 55.41 modestly exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it just above the state median for risk. Residents face marginally elevated disaster exposure compared to the typical Mississippi county.
Mid-range risk for its region
Grenada County's 55.41 score falls between DeSoto County's 88.99 to the north and Greene County's 42.18 to the south. The county represents a moderate-risk area within its broader geographic context.
Earthquakes and tornadoes top the list
Grenada County faces significant earthquake risk at 82.51 and tornado risk at 74.81, reflecting its inland geography and tectonic setting. Flood risk at 58.65 rounds out the county's trio of notable hazards, while hurricane exposure remains comparatively lower at 60.74.
Earthquake and tornado readiness essential
Grenada County homeowners should ensure policies cover both earthquake damage (often excluded from standard homeowners insurance) and wind/hail from tornadoes. Develop a family emergency plan with safe room access, and consider earthquake-specific coverage given the county's elevated seismic risk.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Grenada County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Grenada County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 55th, Grenada County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Grenada County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (61th percentile), flood (59th percentile), wildfire (49th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 83th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Grenada County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Tornado at the 75th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Grenada County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Grenada County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.
Regional Context
Grenada County tracks the Mississippi county average closely, sitting 4.5 composite points above the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within Mississippi.
Is your household prepared for Grenada County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Grenada County, MS?
What types of natural hazards affect Grenada County?
How does Grenada County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Is Grenada County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Grenada 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.