Monroe County Disaster Risk
Monroe County, Mississippi
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
69th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#23
of 82 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
52th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 86% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Monroe County, Mississippi
Monroe County faces above-average hazard exposure
Monroe County's composite risk score of 68.54 places it in the relatively low national category, though this reflects meaningful vulnerability to earthquakes and tornadoes. The score indicates the county experiences more than average exposure to specific high-impact hazards.
Above-average risk within Mississippi
Monroe County's score of 68.54 exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, positioning it in the upper-middle range of statewide risk. This standing reflects the county's particular vulnerability to seismic activity and strong tornadoes, despite lower exposure to some other hazards.
Mid-range risk in the northeast region
Monroe County's 68.54 score sits between Lincoln County (48.44) and the higher-risk areas of Lee County (81.27) and Lowndes County (80.92). While the county faces serious tornado and earthquake threats, it avoids some of the extreme concentrations of risk seen in neighboring Lowndes County.
Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate hazard profile
Monroe County faces a tornado risk of 86.42 and earthquake risk of 86.70, representing the two most significant threats residents face. These dual hazards create the need for comprehensive preparedness strategies addressing both sudden severe weather and long-term seismic vulnerability.
Secure tornado and earthquake insurance
Monroe County homeowners should ensure comprehensive wind coverage in their policies to address tornado risk, and must purchase separate earthquake insurance immediately. Consider structural improvements like roof reinforcement and secure attachment systems to enhance resilience against the county's primary hazards.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Monroe County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Monroe County
Risk Verdict
Monroe County's FEMA risk score places it at the 69th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Monroe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 86th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (71th percentile), flood (52th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 87th percentile nationally, Monroe County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Monroe County's tornado risk at the 86th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in Monroe County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.
Regional Context
The Mississippi county average is 17.6 composite points below Monroe County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Monroe County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Monroe County, MS?
What types of natural hazards affect Monroe County?
How does Monroe County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Is Monroe County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Monroe 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.