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

Leflore County Disaster Risk

Leflore County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

74th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

70th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% 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 72% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Leflore County, Mississippi

Leflore County carries moderate national risk

Leflore County's composite risk score of 73.51 places it in the relatively low category nationally, though notably driven by specific hazards rather than widespread exposure. The score reflects concentrated vulnerability to tornadoes and earthquakes rather than broad multi-hazard risk.

Above-average risk within Mississippi

At 73.51, Leflore County's score exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94 by a substantial margin. This elevated ranking reflects the county's particular susceptibility to strong tornadoes and seismic activity, placing it in the middle-upper range statewide.

Riskier than most neighboring counties

Leflore County's 73.51 score surpasses Lincoln County (48.44) and Monroe County (68.54), making it one of the region's more vulnerable areas. The key differentiator is Leflore's tornado risk of 88.71, among the highest in the state.

Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate your profile

Leflore County faces a tornado risk of 88.71 and earthquake risk of 88.01, representing the dual hazards that drive the county's composite score. Both pose significant threats annually, with tornadoes appearing during severe weather season and earthquakes presenting long-term structural concerns.

Prioritize tornado and earthquake preparation

Strengthen your home's structural integrity and ensure your homeowners policy covers wind damage from tornadoes—critical protection for Leflore County. Add earthquake coverage separately, as standard policies don't include seismic damage, and verify your home meets current building codes.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Leflore County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    88th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    72th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Leflore County

Risk Verdict

Leflore County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 74th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Leflore County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Leflore County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 88th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (72th percentile), flood (70th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 89th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Leflore County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Leflore County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 88th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Leflore County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Leflore County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

A composite score 22.6 points above the Mississippi state average puts Leflore County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Leflore 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 Leflore County, MS?
Leflore County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 74th 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 Leflore County?
Leflore County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (89th percentile), earthquake (88th percentile), hurricane (72th percentile), flooding (70th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado 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 Leflore County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Leflore County's composite risk percentile is 74th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Leflore County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Leflore County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Leflore County's tornado risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Leflore County is at the 70th 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 Leflore County higher risk than average?
Leflore County's composite risk score of 74th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (89th percentile), along with earthquake and hurricane and flooding 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

Marshall County

Mississippi

-2.3

Relatively Low

71th percentile

Yazoo County

Mississippi

-2.4

Relatively Low

71th percentile

Pike County

Mississippi

-3.1

Relatively Low

70th 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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