riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Jones County Disaster Risk

Jones County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

80th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

72th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Jones County

Risk Verdict

Jones County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 80th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Jones County, scoring in the 93th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 91th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (78th), wildfire (74th), flood (72th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Jones County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as hurricane also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Jones County is significantly riskier than the average county in Mississippi. Its composite risk score is 29.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Jones County, MS?
Jones County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 80th 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 Jones County?
Jones County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (93th percentile), hurricane (91th percentile), earthquake (78th percentile), wildfire (74th percentile), flooding (72th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 93th 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 Jones County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Jones County's composite risk percentile is 80th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jones County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Jones County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Jones County's tornado risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jones County is at the 72th 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.
Why is Jones County higher risk than average?
Jones County's composite risk score of 80th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (93th percentile), along with hurricane and earthquake and wildfire and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lowndes County

Mississippi

+0.7

Relatively Low

81th percentile

Lee County

Mississippi

+1.0

Relatively Moderate

81th percentile

Madison County

Mississippi

+1.9

Relatively Moderate

82th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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