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

Marion County Disaster Risk

Marion County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

60th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#30

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Marion County, Mississippi

Marion County presents moderate disaster exposure

Marion County's composite risk score of 59.96 places it in the relatively low category nationally, representing more balanced hazard exposure than many counties. While below some national averages, the score reflects meaningful vulnerability to specific hazards like hurricanes and wildfires.

Slightly above-average risk in Mississippi

Marion County's score of 59.96 exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, positioning it in the middle range of statewide risk. This standing reflects more consistent exposure across multiple hazard categories rather than extreme vulnerability to any single threat.

Mid-range risk compared to nearby counties

Marion County's 59.96 score places it between Lincoln County (48.44) and Monroe County (68.54), making it moderate relative to the region. The county's distinction lies in its exceptionally high hurricane risk of 89.95, the highest in the area and representing the most significant local vulnerability.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate your profile

Marion County faces a hurricane risk of 89.95 and wildfire risk of 75.76, representing the two hazards most likely to impact residents. Hurricane threat peaks during late summer and fall, while wildfire risk remains elevated throughout much of the year due to vegetation and climate conditions.

Prepare for wind and wildfire damage

Marion County residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes comprehensive wind and hail coverage to address hurricane threat, and maintain defensible space around structures against wildfire risk. Review flood insurance availability as well, since hurricanes often bring significant rainfall and storm surge in certain areas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Marion County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    76th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    73th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Marion County

Risk Verdict

Marion County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Marion County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Marion County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (73th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), flood (48th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Marion County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 90th 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. Wildfire at the 76th percentile nationally is Marion County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Marion 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

Marion County's composite risk score sits 9.0 points above the Mississippi county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Marion 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 Marion County, MS?
Marion County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 60th 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 Marion County?
Marion County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (90th percentile), wildfire (76th percentile), tornado (73th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), flooding (48th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 90th 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 Marion County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Marion County's composite risk percentile is 60th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Marion County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Marion County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Marion County's hurricane risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Marion County is at the 48th 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 Marion County higher risk than average?
Marion County's composite risk score of 60th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (90th percentile), along with wildfire and tornado 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

Copiah County

Mississippi

+1.3

Relatively Low

61th percentile

Neshoba County

Mississippi

-1.7

Relatively Low

58th percentile

George County

Mississippi

-2.0

Relatively Low

58th 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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