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

Neshoba County Disaster Risk

Neshoba County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

58th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#31

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

41th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Neshoba County, Mississippi

Neshoba faces above-average U.S. disaster risk

Your composite risk score of 58.27 places Neshoba in the Relatively Low category nationally, but above typical American counties. The county experiences moderate natural hazard exposure compared to the broader U.S.

Moderate risk among Mississippi counties

Neshoba's 58.27 score ranks it above Mississippi's 50.94 state average, placing it in the higher-risk tier statewide. You live in one of the state's more hazard-exposed communities.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Neshoba (58.27) exceeds neighbors like Montgomery (10.91) and Noxubee (29.04), matching Newton (52.45) in exposure. Your county carries elevated risk compared to much of central Mississippi.

Tornado, hurricane, earthquake dominate threats

Tornado (86.01), hurricane (81.06), and earthquake (74.05) risks all rank in the high category, with tornado being your most acute threat. Flooding at 41.38 presents additional but secondary concern.

Prioritize tornado and windstorm protection

Given tornado risk of 86.01, ensure your homeowners policy covers wind and hail damage—critical for tornado recovery. Consider a safe room, reinforced garage, or community shelter plan as physical backup to insurance.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Neshoba County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    81th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    74th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Neshoba County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 58th, Neshoba County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Neshoba County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (74th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), flood (41th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 86th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Neshoba County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Alongside tornado exposure, hurricane at the 81th percentile nationally means Neshoba County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Neshoba County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.

Regional Context

At 7.3 points above the Mississippi state average, Neshoba County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Mississippi county.

Is your household prepared for Neshoba 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 Neshoba County, MS?
Neshoba County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 58th 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 Neshoba County?
Neshoba County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (86th percentile), hurricane (81th percentile), earthquake (74th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), flooding (41th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 86th 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 Neshoba County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Neshoba County's composite risk percentile is 58th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Neshoba County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Neshoba County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Neshoba County's tornado risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Neshoba County is at the 41th 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 Neshoba County higher risk than average?
Neshoba County's composite risk score of 58th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (86th percentile), along with hurricane and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.