Itawamba County Disaster Risk
Itawamba County, Mississippi
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
50th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#45
of 82 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
28th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Itawamba County, Mississippi
Itawamba County holds near-average national risk
Itawamba County's composite risk score of 49.62 places it as relatively low nationally, nearly identical to Mississippi's state average of 50.94. The county's exposure is typical for rural Mississippi, with moderate hazard diversity across regions.
Average risk across Mississippi
Itawamba County ranks squarely in the middle of Mississippi's disaster risk distribution, representing a typical county-level exposure profile for the state. Neither significantly safer nor more threatened than the average Mississippi community, the county embodies statewide hazard patterns.
Slightly riskier than most neighbors
Itawamba County's score of 49.62 edges slightly above many neighboring rural counties in northeast Mississippi, reflecting its moderate exposure across multiple hazard types. The county sits between the state's safest (Issaquena at 7.98) and riskiest (Jackson at 92.33) extremes.
Earthquakes and tornadoes pose dual threat
Earthquake risk (76.97) and tornado risk (66.41) both exceed the county composite score, making these the dominant hazards for Itawamba residents. These geological and weather-driven threats require distinct preparedness strategies, from structural reinforcement to storm shelters.
Prepare for earthquakes and severe weather
Itawamba County residents should prioritize earthquake-resistant home improvements—securing water heaters, securing heavy furniture, and reinforcing foundations—alongside tornado safety measures. Standard homeowners insurance covers most earthquake damage in Mississippi, but verify your policy explicitly includes this protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Itawamba County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Itawamba County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 50th, Itawamba County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. At the 50th percentile, Itawamba County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Itawamba County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (55th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile), flood (28th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 77th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Itawamba 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. The county's tornado risk at the 66th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Itawamba 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
Itawamba County tracks the Mississippi county average closely, sitting 1.3 composite points below the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within Mississippi.
Is your household prepared for Itawamba County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Itawamba County, MS?
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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.