Holmes County Disaster Risk
Holmes County, Mississippi
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
50th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#44
of 82 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
32th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% 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 Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Holmes County, Mississippi
Holmes County sits near average national risk
Holmes County's composite risk score of 49.81 places it as relatively low nationally, just slightly below Mississippi's state average of 50.94. The county's balanced exposure across hazard types keeps it from concentrating risk in any single category.
Middle-of-the-road risk for Mississippi
Holmes County ranks roughly in the middle of Mississippi's county risk distribution, neither significantly safer nor more exposed than typical state communities. Most Mississippi counties cluster near this risk level, making Holmes representative of average state exposure.
Comparable risk to surrounding counties
Holmes County's score of 49.81 aligns closely with neighboring Humphreys County (27.93) and Yazoo County, reflecting the central Mississippi Delta region's mixed hazard profile. The area faces moderate tornado and earthquake exposure balanced against lower flood risk.
Tornadoes demand priority attention
Tornado risk of 82.47 emerges as Holmes County's dominant hazard, roughly 60% higher than the county's overall composite score. Earthquake (69.72) and hurricane (66.46) risks follow, creating a diverse disaster threat landscape across seasons.
Build tornado preparedness into your plan
With tornado risk outpacing other hazards, Holmes County households should prioritize safe-room construction or access to community shelters as the foundation of disaster readiness. Pair this with flood insurance—often overlooked but essential in Delta communities—and your family becomes significantly more resilient.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Holmes County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Holmes County
Risk Verdict
Holmes County ranks at the 50th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. The 50th percentile national ranking is one lens; Holmes County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Holmes County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 70th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (66th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile), flood (32th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Holmes County ranks at the 82th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Holmes County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 70th percentile nationally means Holmes County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Holmes County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.
Regional Context
The county's composite score diverges by only 1.1 points from the Mississippi average, making Holmes County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Holmes County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Holmes County, MS?
What types of natural hazards affect Holmes County?
How does Holmes County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Is Holmes County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Holmes County a safe place to live?
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.