Leake County Disaster Risk
Leake County, Mississippi
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
56th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#35
of 82 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
45th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 45% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 63% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Leake County, Mississippi
Leake County faces moderate national risk
With a composite risk score of 55.69 and a Relatively Low rating, Leake County ranks slightly above the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's tornado (77.89) and hurricane (81.77) risks drive its overall profile into the moderate range.
Slightly above Mississippi's average risk
Leake County's 55.69 composite score sits just above Mississippi's 50.94 average, placing it in the state's moderate-risk tier. Tornado and hurricane exposure particularly distinguish Leake from lower-risk counties statewide.
Moderate risk in balanced regional context
Leake County's 55.69 score falls between safer peers like Lawrence County (25.00) and Kemper County (14.92) and higher-risk areas like Lafayette County (64.44) and Lamar County (64.98). The county represents a middle ground for natural disaster exposure in central Mississippi.
Tornadoes and hurricanes pose primary threats
Tornado risk dominates at 77.89, followed by hurricane risk at 81.77—both well above state averages and reflecting Leake County's position in a severe weather corridor. Earthquake risk (63.20) and flood risk (45.29) provide secondary hazard concerns.
Invest in storm preparedness and coverage
Leake County residents should develop household tornado plans and maintain emergency supplies year-round given the 77.89 tornado risk. Pair comprehensive wind and flood insurance with periodic property inspections to address vulnerabilities before severe weather strikes.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Leake County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Leake County
Risk Verdict
Leake County ranks at the 56th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Leake County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (63th percentile), wildfire (52th percentile), flood (45th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Leake County ranks at the 82th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Tornado at the 78th percentile nationally is Leake County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Leake County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.
Regional Context
The county's composite score diverges by only 4.8 points from the Mississippi average, making Leake County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Leake County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Leake County, MS?
What types of natural hazards affect Leake County?
How does Leake County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Is Leake County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Leake County higher risk than average?
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.