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

Pearl River County Disaster Risk

Pearl River County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

86th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#7

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

73th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% 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 46% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pearl River County, Mississippi

Pearl River faces elevated U.S. disaster risk

Pearl River's 86.07 composite score and Relatively Moderate rating place it among the higher-risk American counties. Your county experiences substantial natural hazard exposure compared to typical U.S. communities.

Highest risk in all of Mississippi

At 86.07, Pearl River dramatically exceeds Mississippi's 50.94 state average, ranking as the most disaster-exposed county in the entire state. Your community faces the most significant natural hazard profile in Mississippi.

Significantly riskier than surrounding counties

Pearl River (86.07) far exceeds all neighbors including Panola (69.21), Oktibbeha (62.79), and every other nearby jurisdiction. Your county's risk substantially surpasses the regional baseline.

Hurricane dominates, wildfire and tornado amplify

Hurricane risk of 96.50 represents an extreme threat—the highest hurricane score among Mississippi counties—while wildfire (90.14) and tornado (82.79) add compounding dangers. Flood risk at 73.22 further elevates your county's exposure.

Comprehensive hazard coverage is non-negotiable

With hurricane risk of 96.50, robust homeowners insurance covering wind and water damage is absolutely critical; review your policy's hurricane deductibles and coverage limits. Flood insurance is essential given your 73.22 flood score; obtain it through NFIP or private markets before hurricane season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pearl River County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    90th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    83th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Pearl River County

Risk Verdict

At the 86th percentile nationally, Pearl River County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Pearl River County residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Pearl River County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 90th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (83th percentile), flood (73th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 96th percentile nationally, Pearl River County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Wildfire at the 90th percentile nationally is Pearl River County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Pearl River County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

The Mississippi county average is 35.1 composite points below Pearl River County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Pearl River 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 Pearl River County, MS?
Pearl River County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 86th 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 Pearl River County?
Pearl River County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (96th percentile), wildfire (90th percentile), tornado (83th percentile), flooding (73th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 96th 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 Pearl River County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Pearl River County's composite risk percentile is 86th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pearl River County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Pearl River County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Pearl River County's hurricane risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pearl River County is at the 73th 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 Pearl River County higher risk than average?
Pearl River County's composite risk score of 86th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (96th percentile), along with wildfire and tornado 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

Warren County

Mississippi

+0.2

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

Lauderdale County

Mississippi

+0.9

Relatively Moderate

87th percentile

Rankin County

Mississippi

-1.1

Relatively Moderate

85th 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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