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

Marshall County Disaster Risk

Marshall County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

71th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

59th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% 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 93% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Marshall County, Mississippi

Marshall County carries elevated composite risk

Marshall County's composite risk score of 71.18 places it in the relatively low national category, yet reflects significant exposure to earthquakes and wildfires. The score indicates meaningful disaster preparedness needs concentrated in specific high-impact hazard types.

Above-average risk across Mississippi

Marshall County's score of 71.18 substantially exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it in the upper half of statewide risk rankings. This elevated standing reflects the county's particular susceptibility to strong earthquakes and above-average wildfire exposure.

Second-riskiest in the northern region

Marshall County's 71.18 score exceeds Monroe County (68.54) and Lincoln County (48.44), but falls just below Lee County (81.27) and Lowndes County (80.92). The county's major distinguishing feature is its high wildfire risk of 79.20, substantially above most regional neighbors.

Earthquakes and wildfires are serious threats

Marshall County experiences an earthquake risk of 92.97 and wildfire risk of 79.20, representing the two most significant hazards residents face. Tornado risk also reaches 88.99, making the county vulnerable to multiple types of sudden, high-impact events throughout the year.

Address earthquake and wildfire exposure

Marshall County homeowners must purchase separate earthquake insurance immediately, as standard policies exclude seismic damage entirely. Clear vegetation and maintain defensible space to reduce wildfire risk, and ensure comprehensive wind coverage in your homeowners policy for tornado protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Marshall County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    89th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    79th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Marshall County

Risk Verdict

Marshall County ranks at the 71th 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

Earthquake risk is Marshall County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 89th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (79th percentile), flood (59th percentile), hurricane (49th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Marshall County ranks at the 93th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. The county's tornado risk at the 89th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For earthquake preparedness, Marshall County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

Compared to other Mississippi counties, Marshall County runs 20.2 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Marshall 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 Marshall County, MS?
Marshall County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 71th 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 Marshall County?
Marshall County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (93th percentile), tornado (89th percentile), wildfire (79th percentile), flooding (59th percentile), hurricane (49th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 93th 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 Marshall County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Marshall County's composite risk percentile is 71th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Marshall County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Marshall County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Marshall County's earthquake risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Marshall County is at the 59th 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 Marshall County higher risk than average?
Marshall County's composite risk score of 71th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (93th percentile), along with tornado and wildfire 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

Yazoo County

Mississippi

-0.0

Relatively Low

71th percentile

Pike County

Mississippi

-0.8

Relatively Low

70th percentile

Sunflower County

Mississippi

-1.6

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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