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

Tippah County Disaster Risk

Tippah County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

44th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#50

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

26th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tippah County, Mississippi

Tippah County below national risk average

Tippah County's composite risk score of 43.80 earns a Relatively Low rating while remaining below the national average. The county's tornado (78.56) and earthquake (86.61) risks are elevated, but overall exposure stays manageable.

Tippah County below Mississippi state average

At 43.80, Tippah County falls below Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it in the safer half of Mississippi's county landscape. This favorable positioning reflects moderate exposure across multiple hazard types without extreme concentration.

Tippah County in mid-risk regional band

Tippah County's 43.80 score sits between safer Tate County (41.22) and similar-risk Tishomingo County (37.09), placing it in a relatively secure regional cluster. All three counties remain well below riskier inland areas like Sunflower County.

Tornadoes and earthquakes pose greatest threats

Tippah County residents face significant tornado risk (78.56) and substantial earthquake exposure (86.61), the county's dominant hazards. Wildfire (51.05) and hurricane (59.20) risks are moderate, while flood risk remains low (25.99).

Wind and earthquake insurance recommended

Homeowners should prioritize comprehensive wind and tornado coverage given the 78.56 tornado risk, plus earthquake insurance for the 86.61 seismic exposure. Standard homeowner policies typically cover wind; earthquake coverage requires a separate rider.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tippah County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    79th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    59th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Tippah County

Risk Verdict

Tippah County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 44th percentile across all U.S. counties. Tippah County's 44th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Tippah County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (59th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile), flood (26th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 87th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Tippah County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Tornado at the 79th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Tippah County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For Tippah County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Tippah County is 7.1 composite risk points below the Mississippi state mean, meaning most other Mississippi counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Tippah 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 Tippah County, MS?
Tippah County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 44th 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 Tippah County?
Tippah County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (87th percentile), tornado (79th percentile), hurricane (59th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile), flooding (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 87th 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 Tippah County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Tippah County's composite risk percentile is 44th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tippah County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Tippah County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Tippah County's earthquake risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Tippah County is at the 26th 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 Tippah County a safe place to live?
Tippah County's composite risk score of 44th 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 87th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Chickasaw County

Mississippi

+0.1

Relatively Low

44th percentile

Union County

Mississippi

-0.3

Relatively Low

44th percentile

Clay County

Mississippi

-1.3

Very Low

43th 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.

Explore more data for Tippah County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score