riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Rankin County Disaster Risk

Rankin County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

85th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#8

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

80th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Rankin County

Risk Verdict

Rankin County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 85th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Rankin County, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 82th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (81th), flood (80th), wildfire (55th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Rankin County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as hurricane 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

Rankin County is significantly riskier than the average county in Mississippi. Its composite risk score is 34 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Rankin County, MS?
Rankin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 85th 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 Rankin County?
Rankin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (95th percentile), hurricane (82th percentile), earthquake (81th percentile), flooding (80th percentile), wildfire (55th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 95th 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 Rankin County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Rankin County's composite risk percentile is 85th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Rankin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Rankin County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Rankin County's tornado risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Rankin County is at the 80th 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 Rankin County higher risk than average?
Rankin County's composite risk score of 85th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (95th percentile), along with hurricane and earthquake and flooding and wildfire 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

Pearl River County

Mississippi

+1.1

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

Warren County

Mississippi

+1.3

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

Lauderdale County

Mississippi

+2.0

Relatively Moderate

87th 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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