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

Lafayette County Disaster Risk

Lafayette County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

64th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lafayette County, Mississippi

Lafayette faces moderate natural disaster risk

Lafayette County's composite risk score of 64.44 places it above the national average, with a Relatively Low rating that masks significant exposure to specific hazards. The county's earthquake risk (88.49) and tornado risk (81.11) rank notably high nationally.

Above-average risk for Mississippi

With a 64.44 composite score, Lafayette County ranks above Mississippi's average of 50.94, placing it in the state's moderate-to-elevated risk tier. The county's earthquake and tornado profiles are particularly elevated relative to state peers.

Moderate risk in a mixed region

Lafayette County's 64.44 score sits between Lawrence County's very low risk (25.00) and Lauderdale County's elevated risk (86.96), reflecting its position in a transitional hazard zone. Leake County (55.69) offers a nearby comparison with slightly lower overall exposure.

Earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes converge

Earthquake risk dominates at 88.49, followed by tornado risk at 81.11 and hurricane risk at 61.08, creating a complex multi-hazard environment. Flood (47.77) and wildfire (48.06) risks round out a balanced threat profile.

Cover earthquakes and strengthen structures

Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage—a critical gap in Lafayette County, where risk scores 88.49. Pair earthquake coverage with comprehensive wind and flood riders, and consider structural reinforcements to withstand tornado and seismic events.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lafayette County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    81th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    61th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lafayette County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 64th, Lafayette County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Lafayette County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (61th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile), flood (48th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 88th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Lafayette 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. Alongside earthquake exposure, Lafayette County's tornado risk at the 81th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Lafayette 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

At 13.5 points above the Mississippi state average, Lafayette County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Mississippi county.

Is your household prepared for Lafayette 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 Lafayette County, MS?
Lafayette County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 64th 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 Lafayette County?
Lafayette County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (88th percentile), tornado (81th percentile), hurricane (61th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile), flooding (48th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 88th 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 Lafayette County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Lafayette County's composite risk percentile is 64th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lafayette County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Lafayette County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Lafayette County's earthquake risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lafayette County is at the 48th 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 Lafayette County higher risk than average?
Lafayette County's composite risk score of 64th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (88th percentile), along with tornado and hurricane 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

Lamar County

Mississippi

+0.5

Relatively Low

65th percentile

Alcorn County

Mississippi

+0.6

Relatively Low

65th percentile

Oktibbeha County

Mississippi

-1.7

Relatively Low

63th 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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