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

Jasper County Disaster Risk

Jasper County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#57

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

27th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jasper County, Mississippi

Jasper County maintains below-average national risk

Jasper County's composite risk score of 38.87 rates as very low nationally—24% below Mississippi's state average of 50.94. The county's exposure reflects a diverse hazard mix without dominance from any single catastrophic threat.

Among Mississippi's safest counties

Jasper County ranks in the lower tier of Mississippi's risk distribution, considerably safer than state average and among the county's protected communities. Residents face roughly half the disaster exposure of high-risk counties like Jackson and Hinds.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Jasper County's score of 38.87 makes it noticeably safer than neighboring Clarke and Neshoba counties to the east, reflecting its interior location away from extreme hazard corridors. The county occupies a favorable position within Mississippi's natural hazard geography.

Tornadoes lead moderate hazard exposure

Tornado risk of 72.26 represents Jasper County's most significant hazard, though below state average for this threat type. Hurricane (80.98) and wildfire (46.50) risks follow, creating seasonal and weather-driven exposure requiring attention but not emergency-level concern.

Focus on tornado and hurricane readiness

Jasper County residents should establish a family tornado safety plan and identify shelter options as priority preparedness steps. Standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection here, but verify coverage includes hurricane-force winds and update policies if home values have increased.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jasper County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    52th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Jasper County

Risk Verdict

Jasper County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 39th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Jasper County residents can take confidence from a 39th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Jasper County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (52th percentile), wildfire (47th percentile), flood (27th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jasper County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 81th 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 at the 72th percentile nationally is Jasper County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Jasper County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Mississippi county average, Jasper County's composite score runs 12.1 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Jasper 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 Jasper County, MS?
Jasper County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 Jasper County?
Jasper County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (81th percentile), tornado (72th percentile), earthquake (52th percentile), wildfire (47th percentile), flooding (27th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 81th 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 Jasper County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Jasper County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jasper County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Jasper County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Jasper County's hurricane risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jasper County is at the 27th 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.
Is Jasper County a safe place to live?
Jasper County's composite risk score of 39th percentile is below the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 81th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.