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

Jefferson County Disaster Risk

Jefferson County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#80

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

17th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% 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

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jefferson County, Mississippi

Jefferson County ranks among nation's safest

Jefferson County's composite risk score of 11.26 places it as very low nationally—78% below Mississippi's state average of 50.94. The county's rural character and interior location create genuinely minimal exposure to most natural disaster hazards.

Second-safest county in Mississippi

Jefferson County ranks as one of Mississippi's two safest communities for natural disasters, trailing only Issaquena County. Residents face substantially lower disaster risk than the typical Mississippian and far below high-risk coastal and urban counties.

Safest in southwest Mississippi region

Jefferson County's score of 11.26 makes it considerably safer than neighboring Adams and Wilkinson counties to the east. The county represents the southwest region's most protected community from natural hazard exposure.

Hurricane risk dominates minimal exposure

Even in Jefferson County's very-low-risk environment, hurricane exposure (65.08) emerges as the leading hazard concern, though still well below typical national levels. Tornado (36.04), flood (16.92), and wildfire (27.58) risks all remain minimal for county residents.

Basic disaster preparedness suffices

Jefferson County's exceptional safety means residents can focus on straightforward preparedness: maintaining a family emergency kit and understanding hurricane season updates. Standard homeowners insurance provides appropriate protection for this very-low-risk community.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jefferson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    36th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    29th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jefferson County

Risk Verdict

Jefferson County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 11th percentile nationally. Residents of Jefferson County can use the 11th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Jefferson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 36th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (29th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile), flood (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Jefferson County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 65th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Jefferson County's tornado exposure at the 36th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Jefferson County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The Mississippi county average exceeds Jefferson County's score by 39.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, MS?
Jefferson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Jefferson County?
Jefferson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (65th percentile), tornado (36th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile), flooding (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 65th 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 Jefferson County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Jefferson County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jefferson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Jefferson County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Jefferson County's hurricane risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Jefferson County is at the 17th 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 Jefferson County a safe place to live?
Jefferson County's composite risk score of 11th 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 65th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Choctaw County

Mississippi

+0.3

Very Low

12th percentile

Montgomery County

Mississippi

-0.3

Very Low

11th percentile

Webster County

Mississippi

+1.3

Very Low

13th 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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