riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Prentiss County Disaster Risk

Prentiss County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

52th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#40

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Prentiss County

Risk Verdict

Prentiss County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 52th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Prentiss County, scoring in the 88th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 73th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (57th), wildfire (45th), flood (41th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Prentiss County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Prentiss County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Mississippi. Its composite risk score is within 0.6 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Mississippi as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Prentiss County, MS?
Prentiss 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 Prentiss County?
Prentiss County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (88th percentile), tornado (73th percentile), hurricane (57th percentile), wildfire (45th percentile), flooding (41th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 88th 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 Prentiss County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Prentiss 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 Prentiss County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Prentiss County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Prentiss County's earthquake risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Prentiss 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 Prentiss County higher risk than average?
Prentiss County's composite risk score of 52th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (88th percentile), along with tornado and hurricane 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

+0.5

Relatively Low

52th percentile

Simpson County

Mississippi

-0.6

Relatively Low

51th percentile

Covington County

Mississippi

-0.7

Relatively Low

51th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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