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

Perry County Disaster Risk

Perry County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#72

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

24th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Perry County, Mississippi

Perry ranks among safest U.S. counties

Perry's composite score of 19.50 with Very Low rating places it well below typical American county risk exposure. Your community enjoys substantially lower natural disaster threat than most U.S. locations.

Among Mississippi's safest counties

At 19.50, Perry ranks well below Mississippi's 50.94 state average, placing it among the state's lowest-risk communities. Your county benefits from relatively protected status within Mississippi.

Safer than all surrounding counties

Perry (19.50) ranks lower in risk than every adjacent county including Panola (69.21), Neshoba (58.27), and Newton (52.45). Only Montgomery (10.91) achieves comparable safety levels in the region.

Wildfire and hurricane represent secondary concerns

Despite your low overall score, wildfire (70.61) and hurricane (80.68) rank as your highest individual hazards, though they remain regional outliers. Tornado exposure at 44.27 and flood at 23.60 pose minimal threat.

Standard homeowners insurance provides solid base

Your Very Low risk rating means basic homeowners coverage adequately protects against your area's modest hazard profile. Given your wildfire score of 70.61, ensure your policy covers brush and debris removal, and maintain defensible space around your home.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Perry County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    71th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    44th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Perry County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Perry County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 19th percentile. The 19th percentile national ranking is one lens; Perry County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Perry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (44th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile), flood (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 81th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Perry County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Perry County's wildfire exposure at the 71th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. For Perry County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Perry County is 31.4 composite risk points below the Mississippi state mean, meaning most other Mississippi counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Perry 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 Perry County, MS?
Perry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th 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 Perry County?
Perry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (81th percentile), wildfire (71th percentile), tornado (44th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile), flooding (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 81th 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 Perry County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Perry County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Perry County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Perry County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Perry County's hurricane risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Perry County is at the 24th 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 Perry County a safe place to live?
Perry County's composite risk score of 19th 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 hurricane at the 81th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Yalobusha County

Mississippi

+0.0

Very Low

20th percentile

Quitman County

Mississippi

-1.0

Very Low

19th percentile

Franklin County

Mississippi

-2.2

Very Low

17th 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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