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

Webster County Disaster Risk

Webster County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#78

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

13th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Webster County, Mississippi

Webster County is safest in state

Webster County's composite risk score of 12.60 earns a very low rating, making it one of the safest counties in Mississippi and far below the state average of 50.94. This exceptional safety profile reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Lowest-risk county in Mississippi

Webster County ranks as the safest county in Mississippi for natural disaster exposure, with its 12.60 score significantly below all peers. This makes Webster one of the state's most secure locations for hazard-conscious residents.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Webster County's risk profile is substantially lower than all nearby counties, including Winston County (39.89) and Union County (43.51) to the south. This remarkable safety advantage makes Webster a regional standout for hazard protection.

Tornado and earthquake risks exceed other threats

Even in Mississippi's safest county, tornado (48.38) and earthquake (63.42) risks slightly exceed the county's overall averages, though both remain manageable. Wildfire (23.73) and flood (13.42) risks are minimal, reflecting the county's geographic advantages.

Standard coverage provides solid protection

Webster County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance with confidence, though verifying tornado and hail coverage remains prudent given the 48.38 tornado score. Flood insurance is optional here due to the minimal 13.42 flood risk, but earthquake coverage consideration depends on individual property values.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Webster County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    55th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    48th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Webster County

Risk Verdict

Webster County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 13th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Webster County's favorable 13th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Webster County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (48th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile), flood (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 63th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Webster County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Alongside earthquake exposure, Webster County's hurricane risk at the 55th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Webster County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

Webster County falls 38.3 points below Mississippi's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Webster 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 Webster County, MS?
Webster County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th 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 Webster County?
Webster County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (63th percentile), hurricane (55th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile), flooding (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 63th 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 Webster County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Webster County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Webster County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Webster County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Webster County's earthquake risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Webster County is at the 13th 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 Webster County a safe place to live?
Webster County's composite risk score of 13th 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 63th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Choctaw County

Mississippi

-1.0

Very Low

12th percentile

Jefferson County

Mississippi

-1.3

Very Low

11th percentile

Montgomery County

Mississippi

-1.7

Very Low

11th 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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