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

Tunica County Disaster Risk

Tunica County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#59

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

24th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tunica County, Mississippi

Tunica County among nation's lowest-risk areas

Tunica County's composite risk score of 36.26 earns a Very Low rating, placing it well below the national average. This exceptional safety profile reflects minimal flood and wildfire exposure, though earthquake risk (88.96) remains elevated locally.

Tunica County second-safest in Mississippi

At 36.26, Tunica County ranks second-lowest in Mississippi, surpassed only by Tishomingo County (37.09), both sitting far below the state average of 50.94. This superior positioning reflects the county's favorable geography and limited wind-driven hazard exposure.

Tunica County offers regional protection advantage

Tunica County's 36.26 score ranks it safest in its immediate vicinity, ahead of Tishomingo County (37.09) and substantially below riskier Tate County (41.22). The county's minimal wildfire risk (7.47) stands out dramatically compared to all neighbors.

Earthquake exposure outpaces other local threats

Tunica County residents face exceptional earthquake risk (88.96) despite the county's overall safety profile, making seismic events the primary hazard. Tornado risk (59.48) and hurricane exposure (48.19) remain moderate, while flood (23.89) and wildfire (7.47) risks are minimal.

Earthquake insurance is essential here

With earthquake risk at 88.96, Tunica County homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance as a critical protection, despite the county's otherwise low overall risk profile. Standard homeowner policies covering wind and tornado typically suffice for other hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tunica County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    48th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Tunica County

Risk Verdict

Tunica County's overall natural disaster score at the 36th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Residents of Tunica County can use the 36th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Tunica County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (48th percentile), flood (24th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 89th percentile nationally puts Tunica County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Alongside earthquake exposure, Tunica County's tornado risk at the 59th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Tunica County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Tunica County's composite risk score sits 14.7 points below the Mississippi county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Tunica 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 Tunica County, MS?
Tunica County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Tunica County?
Tunica County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (89th percentile), tornado (59th percentile), hurricane (48th percentile), flooding (24th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 89th 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 Tunica County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Tunica County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tunica County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Tunica County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Tunica County's earthquake risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Tunica County is at the 24th 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 Tunica County a safe place to live?
Tunica County's composite risk score of 36th 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 89th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Clarke County

Mississippi

-0.2

Very Low

36th percentile

Tishomingo County

Mississippi

+0.8

Very Low

37th percentile

Attala County

Mississippi

-2.1

Very Low

34th 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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