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

Oktibbeha County Disaster Risk

Oktibbeha County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

63th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#27

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi

Oktibbeha faces above-average U.S. risk

Oktibbeha's 62.79 composite score places it in the Relatively Low category nationally but exceeds typical American county exposure. Your county experiences measurable natural hazard pressure compared to the broader U.S.

Among higher-risk Mississippi counties

At 62.79, Oktibbeha ranks significantly above Mississippi's 50.94 state average, placing it in the upper tier of statewide risk. Your county is notably more hazard-exposed than the typical Mississippi community.

One of the riskier counties in region

Oktibbeha (62.79) exceeds most neighbors including Neshoba (58.27), Newton (52.45), and Noxubee (29.04), matching Panola (69.21). Your county carries elevated risk compared to surrounding areas.

Earthquake, tornado, hurricane converge as threats

Earthquake (85.05) and tornado (83.30) represent your two highest risks, while hurricane (69.17) adds substantial third-tier danger. Flood risk at 53.24 also exceeds state average exposure.

Comprehensive coverage addresses multiple threats

Given earthquake risk of 85.05 and tornado risk of 83.30, earthquake coverage should accompany your standard homeowners policy. Flood insurance becomes advisable with your 53.24 flood score; consult FEMA flood maps and your lender's requirements.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Oktibbeha County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    69th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Oktibbeha County

Risk Verdict

Oktibbeha County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Oktibbeha County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Oktibbeha County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (69th percentile), flood (53th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Oktibbeha County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. The county's tornado risk at the 83th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. Oktibbeha County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

Oktibbeha County's composite risk score sits 11.8 points above the Mississippi county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Oktibbeha 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 Oktibbeha County, MS?
Oktibbeha County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 63th 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 Oktibbeha County?
Oktibbeha County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (85th percentile), tornado (83th percentile), hurricane (69th percentile), flooding (53th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 85th 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 Oktibbeha County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Oktibbeha County's composite risk percentile is 63th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Oktibbeha County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Oktibbeha County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Oktibbeha County's earthquake risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Oktibbeha County is at the 53th 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 Oktibbeha County higher risk than average?
Oktibbeha County's composite risk score of 63th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (85th percentile), along with tornado and hurricane 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

Coahoma County

Mississippi

-0.3

Relatively Low

63th percentile

Copiah County

Mississippi

-1.5

Relatively Low

61th percentile

Lafayette County

Mississippi

+1.7

Relatively Low

64th 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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