riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Hancock County Disaster Risk

Hancock County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

83th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#10

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

86th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Hancock County

Risk Verdict

Hancock County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 83th 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

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Hancock County, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 90th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (86th), tornado (77th), earthquake (45th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Hancock County residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as wildfire 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

Hancock County is significantly riskier than the average county in Mississippi. Its composite risk score is 31.8 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 Hancock County, MS?
Hancock County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 83th 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 Hancock County?
Hancock County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (95th percentile), wildfire (90th percentile), flooding (86th percentile), tornado (77th percentile), earthquake (45th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 95th 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 Hancock County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Hancock County's composite risk percentile is 83th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hancock County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Hancock County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hancock County's hurricane risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hancock County is at the 86th 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 Hancock County higher risk than average?
Hancock County's composite risk score of 83th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (95th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding and tornado 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

Washington County

Mississippi

+0.3

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Madison County

Mississippi

-0.6

Relatively Moderate

82th percentile

Lee County

Mississippi

-1.5

Relatively Moderate

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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