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

Lawrence County Disaster Risk

Lawrence County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

25th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#67

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lawrence County, Mississippi

Lawrence County ranks among nation's safest

With a composite risk score of 25.00 and a Very Low rating, Lawrence County is substantially safer than the national average for natural disasters. The county's low flood risk (28.34) helps anchor an overall profile that's protective for residents.

Among Mississippi's safest counties

Lawrence County's 25.00 composite score is well below Mississippi's 50.94 average, placing it in the state's lowest-risk tier. Only Kemper County (14.92) registers lower overall natural disaster exposure statewide.

Safer than most regional peers

Lawrence County's 25.00 risk score places it well below Leake County (55.69), Lafayette County (64.44), and Lamar County (64.98), though it ranks slightly higher than Kemper County (14.92). The county benefits from a relatively balanced hazard profile without any single dominant threat.

Hurricane exposure is noteworthy secondary threat

Hurricane risk scores 78.18 in Lawrence County, marking it as the most significant natural hazard despite the county's overall very low composite risk. Wildfire (54.13), tornado (56.27), and earthquake (41.28) risks all remain modest by national standards.

Standard insurance sufficient with attention to wind

Lawrence County residents can rely on standard homeowners policies as a solid foundation for most hazards given the county's very low overall risk. Consider adding wind and flood riders as supplemental coverage, particularly in mapped flood zones or areas exposed to tropical systems.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lawrence County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    54th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lawrence County

Risk Verdict

Lawrence County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 25th percentile nationally. At the 25th percentile, Lawrence County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lawrence County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (54th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), flood (28th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Lawrence County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 78th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 56th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Lawrence County independent of hurricane season. Lawrence County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The Mississippi county average exceeds Lawrence County's score by 25.9 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, MS?
Lawrence County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 25th 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 Lawrence County?
Lawrence County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (78th percentile), tornado (56th percentile), wildfire (54th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), flooding (28th 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 Lawrence County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Lawrence County's composite risk percentile is 25th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lawrence County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Lawrence County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lawrence County's hurricane risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lawrence County is at the 28th 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 Lawrence County a safe place to live?
Lawrence County's composite risk score of 25th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Claiborne County

Mississippi

-0.3

Very Low

25th percentile

Walthall County

Mississippi

+0.5

Very Low

26th percentile

Carroll County

Mississippi

-1.7

Very Low

23th 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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