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

Washington County Disaster Risk

Washington County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

83th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#9

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

81th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Washington County, Mississippi

Washington County faces serious hazards

Washington County's composite risk score of 82.98 earns a relatively moderate rating, significantly exceeding Mississippi's state average of 50.94. This high score reflects a convergence of multiple major natural disaster risks.

Second-highest risk in state

Washington County ranks among Mississippi's highest-risk counties, with its 82.98 score placing it near the top of the state's danger list. Only a few Mississippi counties exceed this level of natural hazard exposure.

Most dangerous county nearby

Washington County's risk profile nearly matches neighboring Warren County (86.29) and far exceeds Union County (43.51) to the east. This positions Washington as the most hazard-exposed county in its region.

Tornadoes, earthquakes, and flooding

Washington County faces the state's worst tornado risk (93.00), combined with extreme earthquake exposure (90.84) and severe flooding threats (81.20). Hurricane risk (72.34) compounds an exceptionally dangerous natural hazard profile.

Comprehensive coverage is critical

Washington County residents must secure separate flood insurance immediately—the county's 81.20 flood risk score makes this non-negotiable for any property. Additionally, verify your homeowners policy covers wind, hail, and tornadoes with adequate limits given the county's 93.00 tornado risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Washington County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    91th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    81th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Washington County

Risk Verdict

At the 83th percentile nationally, Washington County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Washington County residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Washington County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 91th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (81th percentile), hurricane (72th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 93th percentile nationally makes Washington County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Washington County at the 91th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. In Washington County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

The Mississippi county average is 32.0 composite points below Washington County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Washington 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 Washington County, MS?
Washington County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 83th 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 Washington County?
Washington County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (93th percentile), earthquake (91th percentile), flooding (81th percentile), hurricane (72th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 93th 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 Washington County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Washington County's composite risk percentile is 83th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Washington County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Washington County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Washington County's tornado risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Washington County is at the 81th 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 Washington County higher risk than average?
Washington County's composite risk score of 83th percentile is above the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (93th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding and hurricane 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

Hancock County

Mississippi

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Madison County

Mississippi

-0.9

Relatively Moderate

82th percentile

Lee County

Mississippi

-1.7

Relatively Moderate

81th 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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