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

Lamar County Disaster Risk

Lamar County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

65th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#25

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

62th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lamar County, Mississippi

Lamar County faces above-average storm risk

With a composite risk score of 64.98, Lamar County ranks above the national average and carries a Relatively Low rating despite significant wildfire (81.58) and hurricane (89.03) exposure. The county's risk profile is driven by southern Mississippi's exposure to tropical and fire weather systems.

Mid-to-high risk among Mississippi counties

Lamar County's 64.98 composite score places it well above Mississippi's 50.94 average, ranking it in the state's elevated risk category. Wildfire and hurricane exposure particularly distinguish Lamar from state peers.

Wildfire exposure exceeds neighbors

Lamar County's wildfire risk (81.58) significantly exceeds nearby Jefferson Davis County (56.74) and Lawrence County (54.13), reflecting the county's ecosystem and fire weather patterns. Overall composite risk (64.98) aligns closely with Leake County (55.69).

Wildfire and hurricanes dominate hazard landscape

Wildfire risk tops the list at 81.58, followed by hurricane risk at 89.03—both well above state averages and reflecting southern Mississippi's exposure to tropical systems and fire seasons. Tornado risk (73.79) and flood risk (62.12) also merit serious preparedness investment.

Defend against fire and wind now

Lamar County residents should create defensible space around homes, clear gutters, and trim vegetation to mitigate wildfire spread. Comprehensive wind and flood coverage are essential; pair these with regular property maintenance and emergency supply stockpiles for hurricane season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lamar County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    82th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    74th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lamar County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Lamar County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 65th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Lamar County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lamar County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 82th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (74th percentile), flood (62th percentile), earthquake (54th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 89th percentile nationally makes Lamar County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Lamar County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Wildfire at the 82th percentile nationally is Lamar County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Lamar County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Lamar County is 14.0 composite risk points above the Mississippi average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Lamar 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 Lamar County, MS?
Lamar County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 65th 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 Lamar County?
Lamar County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (89th percentile), wildfire (82th percentile), tornado (74th percentile), flooding (62th percentile), earthquake (54th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 89th 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 Lamar County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Lamar County's composite risk percentile is 65th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lamar County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Lamar County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lamar County's hurricane risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lamar County is at the 62th 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 Lamar County higher risk than average?
Lamar County's composite risk score of 65th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (89th percentile), along with wildfire and tornado and flooding and earthquake 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

Alcorn County

Mississippi

+0.0

Relatively Low

65th percentile

Lafayette County

Mississippi

-0.5

Relatively Low

64th percentile

Oktibbeha County

Mississippi

-2.2

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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