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

Lauderdale County Disaster Risk

Lauderdale County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

87th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#5

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

80th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 94% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lauderdale County, Mississippi

Lauderdale faces Mississippi's highest risk

With a composite risk score of 86.96 and a Relatively Moderate rating, Lauderdale County ranks among the nation's higher-risk counties for natural disasters. The county's tornado risk (94.43) is among the highest nationally, while flood (80.06) and hurricane (83.31) risks compound the threat picture.

Highest-risk county in Mississippi

Lauderdale County's 86.96 composite score is the highest in the state, far exceeding Mississippi's 50.94 average. The county's tornado exposure (94.43) is unmatched statewide and ranks in the national top tier.

Dramatically riskier than surrounding areas

Lauderdale County's 86.96 risk profile far exceeds neighboring Jones County (80.22), Kemper County (14.92), and Leake County (55.69), making it the region's most hazard-prone area. The county's tornado risk is particularly pronounced in comparison.

Tornadoes pose acute, life-threatening threat

Tornado risk scores an exceptional 94.43 in Lauderdale County, placing it in the nation's highest tier and demanding serious structural resilience investment. Flood risk (80.06), hurricane risk (83.31), and earthquake risk (81.71) create a multi-hazard environment requiring comprehensive preparedness.

Install shelters and upgrade all coverage

Given tornado risk of 94.43, safe rooms or reinforced storm shelters are not optional—they're essential protective infrastructure for every household. Ensure homeowners insurance includes flood and wind riders, and consider additional earthquake coverage given the county's 81.71 seismic risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lauderdale County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    82th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lauderdale County

Risk Verdict

Lauderdale County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 87th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Lauderdale County.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Lauderdale County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (82th percentile), flood (80th percentile), wildfire (58th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Lauderdale County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 94th percentile nationally. In Lauderdale County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Alongside tornado exposure, hurricane at the 83th percentile nationally means Lauderdale County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Lauderdale County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Lauderdale County households.

Regional Context

Lauderdale County falls 36.0 points above Mississippi's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County, MS?
Lauderdale County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 87th 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 Lauderdale County?
Lauderdale County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (94th percentile), hurricane (83th percentile), earthquake (82th percentile), flooding (80th percentile), wildfire (58th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 94th 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 Lauderdale County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Lauderdale County's composite risk percentile is 87th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lauderdale County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Lauderdale County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Lauderdale County's tornado risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lauderdale County is at the 80th 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 Lauderdale County higher risk than average?
Lauderdale County's composite risk score of 87th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (94th percentile), along with hurricane and earthquake and flooding and wildfire 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

Warren County

Mississippi

-0.7

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

Pearl River County

Mississippi

-0.9

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

Rankin County

Mississippi

-2.0

Relatively Moderate

85th 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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