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

Tallahatchie County Disaster Risk

Tallahatchie County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

40th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

30th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi

Tallahatchie County among safest nationally

Tallahatchie County's composite risk score of 40.08 earns a Very Low rating, placing it well below the national average. This favorable standing reflects relatively balanced risk exposure across hazard types with no single threat dramatically elevated.

Tallahatchie County safest in Mississippi

At 40.08, Tallahatchie County sits significantly below Mississippi's state average of 50.94, making it among the state's lowest-risk counties. This below-average profile provides measurable protection compared to most other Mississippi counties.

Tallahatchie County offers regional safety advantage

Tallahatchie County's 40.08 score ranks second-safest among its peers, ahead of Tunica County (36.26) and substantially below riskier Sunflower County (69.62). This central position within a relatively safe region offers residents meaningful security advantages.

Tornadoes and earthquakes primary considerations

Tallahatchie County residents face moderate tornado risk (65.78) and significant earthquake exposure (80.28), the county's two highest hazards. Flood risk remains low (30.28), and hurricane threat is minimal (64.46), creating a manageable risk landscape overall.

Standard coverage sufficient for most residents

Comprehensive homeowner insurance with standard wind and tornado coverage provides adequate protection given Tallahatchie County's favorable risk profile. Consider earthquake insurance if living in areas of known seismic sensitivity, though overall risk remains moderate statewide.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tallahatchie County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    66th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    64th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Tallahatchie County

Risk Verdict

At the 40th percentile nationally, Tallahatchie County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Tallahatchie County's favorable 40th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Tallahatchie County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (64th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), flood (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tallahatchie County ranks at the 80th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. The county's tornado risk at the 66th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For earthquake preparedness, Tallahatchie County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

A composite score 10.9 points below the Mississippi state average puts Tallahatchie County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Tallahatchie 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 Tallahatchie County, MS?
Tallahatchie County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 40th 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 Tallahatchie County?
Tallahatchie County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (80th percentile), tornado (66th percentile), hurricane (64th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), flooding (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 80th 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 Tallahatchie County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Tallahatchie County's composite risk percentile is 40th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tallahatchie County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Tallahatchie County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Tallahatchie County's earthquake risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Tallahatchie County is at the 30th 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 Tallahatchie County a safe place to live?
Tallahatchie County's composite risk score of 40th 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 earthquake at the 80th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.