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

Stone County Disaster Risk

Stone County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

52th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#39

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

27th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Stone County, Mississippi

Stone County slightly above average risk nationally

Stone County's composite risk score of 52.00 earns a Relatively Low rating while modestly exceeding the national average. The county's wildfire risk (84.29) represents its most pronounced exposure, distinguishing it from typical U.S. county profiles.

Stone County at state midpoint for overall risk

At 52.00, Stone County sits just above Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it near the median risk level statewide. This positioning reflects balanced exposure across multiple hazard types rather than concentration in a single threat.

Stone County's wildfire risk stands out locally

Stone County's 52.00 composite score falls between safer Tishomingo County (37.09) and riskier Sunflower County (69.62), but its wildfire score (84.29) far exceeds all neighboring counties. This pronounced wildfire exposure reflects forest coverage and seasonal dry conditions unique to the area.

Wildfire and hurricane risks dominate here

Stone County residents face exceptional wildfire risk (84.29)—among the highest in Mississippi—alongside significant hurricane exposure (91.11). Tornado risk remains moderate (54.71), while flood risk stays relatively low (26.65), making fire preparedness the immediate priority.

Wildfire insurance and defensible space essential

Given wildfire risk of 84.29, homeowners must secure robust property coverage with wildfire protection and maintain defensible space around structures. Hurricane coverage is equally critical given the 91.11 score; bundling both protections into a comprehensive homeowner policy offers the most cost-effective protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Stone County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    84th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    55th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Stone County

Risk Verdict

At the 52th percentile nationally, Stone County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Stone County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Stone County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (55th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile), flood (27th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Stone County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 91th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 84th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Stone County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Stone County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

At 1.1 points from the Mississippi county mean, Stone County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Stone 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 Stone County, MS?
Stone 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 Stone County?
Stone County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (91th percentile), wildfire (84th percentile), tornado (55th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile), flooding (27th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 91th 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 Stone County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Stone 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 Stone County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Stone County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Stone County's hurricane risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Stone County is at the 27th 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 Stone County higher risk than average?
Stone County's composite risk score of 52th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (91th percentile), along with wildfire and tornado 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

Newton County

Mississippi

+0.4

Relatively Low

52th percentile

Prentiss County

Mississippi

-0.5

Relatively Low

52th percentile

Simpson County

Mississippi

-1.0

Relatively Low

51th 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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