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

Montgomery County Disaster Risk

Montgomery County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#81

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

15th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Montgomery County, Mississippi

Montgomery ranks among safest U.S. counties

With a composite risk score of 10.91, Montgomery County sits well below the national average, earning a Very Low risk rating. Your county faces significantly lower overall natural disaster threat than most of America.

Safest county in Mississippi

Montgomery's 10.91 score ranks it lowest among all Mississippi counties, far below the state average of 50.94. You live in the state's most protected community from composite disaster risk.

Safer than all surrounding counties

Montgomery's 10.91 score dramatically outperforms neighbors like Noxubee (29.04), Newton (52.45), and Neshoba (58.27). Your county's risk profile is substantially lower than every adjacent jurisdiction.

Earthquake and hurricane pose distant threats

While your overall risk remains very low, earthquake (57.41) and hurricane (53.69) scores represent your highest hazard exposures. Tornado risk at 44.85 also warrants standard storm preparedness, though it remains well below state averages.

Maintain essential coverage despite low risk

Your very low risk profile doesn't eliminate the need for homeowners insurance—earthquakes and hurricanes still pose measurable threats. Standard homeowners insurance covers wind and hail; consider earthquake coverage given your 57.41 earthquake score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Montgomery County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    45th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Montgomery County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Montgomery County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 11th percentile. At the 11th percentile, Montgomery County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Montgomery County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (45th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile), flood (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 57th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Montgomery County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Hurricane at the 54th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Montgomery County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For Montgomery County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Montgomery County is 40.0 composite risk points below the Mississippi state mean, meaning most other Mississippi counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, MS?
Montgomery County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Montgomery County?
Montgomery County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (57th percentile), hurricane (54th percentile), tornado (45th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile), flooding (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 57th 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 Montgomery County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Montgomery County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Montgomery County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Montgomery County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Montgomery County's earthquake risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Montgomery County is at the 15th 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 Montgomery County a safe place to live?
Montgomery County's composite risk score of 11th 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 earthquake at the 57th 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.