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

Harrison County Disaster Risk

Harrison County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

96th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#1

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

92th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Harrison County, Mississippi

Harrison County has high disaster risk

Harrison County's composite risk score of 95.61 and relatively high rating place it among the most hazard-exposed counties in the nation. The county faces substantial vulnerability across nearly every major disaster type, making comprehensive preparedness and insurance essential.

Mississippi's highest-risk county

At 95.61, Harrison County dramatically exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, standing as the state's most vulnerable county for natural disasters. Residents face nearly double the state's average disaster exposure.

Far riskier than all surrounding counties

Harrison County's 95.61 score substantially exceeds Hancock County's 82.73 to the west and George County's 57.95 to the north. The county stands as an exceptional high-risk zone, with hazard exposure significantly elevated across its region.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires align

Harrison County faces near-maximum hurricane risk at 98.54, tornado risk at 95.96, and wildfire risk at 94.53—a convergence of severe weather threats. Flood risk at 91.60 adds critical additional exposure, creating a four-part hazard profile few counties can match.

Comprehensive, high-limit coverage non-negotiable

Harrison County residents must maintain maximum available coverage for wind, water, fire, and flood with limits reflecting true replacement cost. Secure professional structural reinforcement, maintain insurance annually with updated home valuations, and keep emergency supplies and evacuation plans current at all times.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Harrison County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    99th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    96th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    95th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Harrison County

Risk Verdict

With a national rank of 96th percentile, Harrison County faces above-average natural disaster pressure across several hazard categories. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Harrison County.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Harrison County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 96th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (95th percentile), flood (92th percentile), earthquake (70th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Harrison County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 99th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 96th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Harrison County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Harrison County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Harrison County falls 44.7 points above Mississippi's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Harrison 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 Harrison County, MS?
Harrison County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 96th 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 Harrison County?
Harrison County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (99th percentile), tornado (96th percentile), wildfire (95th percentile), flooding (92th percentile), earthquake (70th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 99th 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 Harrison County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Harrison County's composite risk percentile is 96th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Harrison County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Harrison County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Harrison County's hurricane risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Harrison County is at the 92th 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 Harrison County higher risk than average?
Harrison County's composite risk score of 96th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (99th percentile), along with tornado 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

Hinds County

Mississippi

-1.3

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

Jackson County

Mississippi

-3.3

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

DeSoto County

Mississippi

-6.6

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

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.

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