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

Newton County Disaster Risk

Newton County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

52th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#38

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

37th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Newton County, Mississippi

Newton sits slightly above typical U.S. risk

Newton's composite score of 52.45 earns a Relatively Low national rating but exceeds average American county exposure. Your county faces moderate natural hazard pressure compared to nationwide trends.

Slightly above-average for Mississippi

At 52.45, Newton ranks just above Mississippi's 50.94 state average, placing it in the middle tier of statewide risk. Your county's hazard exposure mirrors the typical Mississippi experience.

Similar risk to Neshoba, higher than others

Newton (52.45) closely matches Neshoba (58.27) while exceeding Montgomery (10.91) and Noxubee (29.04). Your risk profile aligns with the northeastern Mississippi corridor.

Tornado and hurricane top your hazard list

Tornado risk of 83.49 and hurricane risk of 80.06 represent Newton's primary threats, with earthquake at 57.60 posing moderate secondary danger. Flood (36.61) and wildfire (38.74) risks remain manageable.

Storm coverage is your insurance priority

Your tornado score of 83.49 demands robust homeowners coverage for wind and hail damage. Document your home's condition and assets now, and develop a family tornado response plan with designated shelter locations.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Newton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    83th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    80th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    58th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Newton County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Newton County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 52th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Newton County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Newton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (58th percentile), wildfire (39th percentile), flood (37th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 83th percentile nationally, Newton County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. The secondary hurricane hazard at the 80th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Newton County's preparedness calendar, since hurricane and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. For Newton County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Newton County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Mississippi county average, with a 1.5-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Newton 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 Newton County, MS?
Newton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 52th 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 Newton County?
Newton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (83th percentile), hurricane (80th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), wildfire (39th percentile), flooding (37th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 83th 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 Newton County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Newton County's composite risk percentile is 52th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Newton County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Newton County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Newton County's tornado risk is at the 83th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Newton County is at the 37th 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 Newton County higher risk than average?
Newton County's composite risk score of 52th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (83th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Stone County

Mississippi

-0.4

Relatively Low

52th percentile

Prentiss County

Mississippi

-0.9

Relatively Low

52th percentile

Simpson County

Mississippi

-1.5

Relatively Low

51th 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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