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

Lincoln County Disaster Risk

Lincoln County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

48th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#46

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

42th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% 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 59% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lincoln County, Mississippi

Lincoln County is Mississippi's lower-risk outlier

With a composite risk score of 48.44, Lincoln County rates in the relatively low category and actually sits below the national average. This makes it one of Mississippi's safest counties despite still facing meaningful exposure to hurricanes and wildfires.

Among Mississippi's safer counties

Lincoln County's score of 48.44 falls just below Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it among the lower-risk areas statewide. This below-average standing is relatively unusual in Mississippi and reflects more balanced, moderate hazard exposure across multiple categories.

Significantly safer than surrounding areas

Lincoln County's 48.44 score is substantially lower than Marion County (59.96), Monroe County (68.54), and Marshall County (71.18), making it clearly the safest in its region. This advantage stems from notably lower earthquake risk and more moderate flood and tornado exposure.

Hurricanes and wildfires are your key concerns

Lincoln County's hurricane risk reaches 79.64 and wildfire risk sits at 62.21, representing the two most significant hazards residents face. While tornado risk remains moderate at 78.50, hurricanes pose the greatest annual threat, particularly during late summer and fall.

Focus on wind and wildfire protection

Ensure your homeowners policy includes comprehensive wind coverage for hurricane protection, and review your property's defensible space around structures to mitigate wildfire risk. Flood insurance may also be wise depending on your specific property location within the county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lincoln County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    62th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Lincoln County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 48th, Lincoln County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. A 48th percentile score positions Lincoln County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lincoln County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (62th percentile), earthquake (59th percentile), flood (42th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 80th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Lincoln County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Tornado at the 78th percentile nationally is Lincoln County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Lincoln County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Lincoln County tracks the Mississippi county average closely, sitting 2.5 composite points below the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within Mississippi.

Is your household prepared for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, MS?
Lincoln County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 48th 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 Lincoln County?
Lincoln County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (80th percentile), tornado (78th percentile), wildfire (62th percentile), earthquake (59th percentile), flooding (42th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 80th 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 Lincoln County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Lincoln County's composite risk percentile is 48th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lincoln County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Lincoln County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lincoln County's hurricane risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lincoln County is at the 42th 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 Lincoln County a safe place to live?
Lincoln County's composite risk score of 48th 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 80th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.