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

Jefferson Davis County Disaster Risk

Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#70

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

24th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% 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

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi

Jefferson Davis sits well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 23.09, Jefferson Davis County ranks as Very Low—significantly safer than the national average composite risk. The county's risk profile is shaped most heavily by hurricane exposure, which scores 78.43, though even this falls below catastrophic thresholds for inland Mississippi communities.

Among Mississippi's safest counties

Jefferson Davis ranks as one of the state's lowest-risk counties, with its 23.09 composite score well below Mississippi's average of 50.94. Only a handful of Mississippi counties maintain comparably low overall natural disaster risk profiles.

Safer than surrounding counties

Jefferson Davis County's very low risk stands in sharp contrast to neighboring Lamar County (64.98) and Lawrence County (25.00). Your county benefits from lower flood, wildfire, and tornado exposure compared to most regional peers.

Hurricane and wildfire pose the most concern

Hurricane risk scores 78.43 in Jefferson Davis, making tropical storms the county's most significant natural hazard, while wildfire risk at 56.74 remains a secondary concern. Tornado risk (53.88) and earthquake risk (38.17) are both relatively modest for the region.

Prioritize wind and flood coverage now

Even in a very low-risk county, homeowners should secure comprehensive wind coverage for hurricane season and evaluate flood insurance, particularly in mapped flood zones. Standard homeowners policies often exclude both, leaving gaps that one major storm can expose.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jefferson Davis County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Jefferson Davis County

Risk Verdict

At the 23th percentile nationally, Jefferson Davis County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A 23th percentile score positions Jefferson Davis County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Jefferson Davis County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (54th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile), flood (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jefferson Davis County ranks at the 78th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 57th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Jefferson Davis County independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in Jefferson Davis County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

A composite score 27.8 points below the Mississippi state average puts Jefferson Davis County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Jefferson Davis 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 Davis County, MS?
Jefferson Davis County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Davis County?
Jefferson Davis County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (78th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile), flooding (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 78th 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 Davis County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Jefferson Davis County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jefferson Davis County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Jefferson Davis County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Jefferson Davis County's hurricane risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jefferson Davis County is at the 24th 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 Davis County a safe place to live?
Jefferson Davis County's composite risk score of 23th 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 78th 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.