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

Wilkinson County Disaster Risk

Wilkinson County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

33th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#62

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

34th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wilkinson County, Mississippi

Wilkinson County poses low risk

Wilkinson County's composite risk score of 33.46 earns a very low rating, placing it well below Mississippi's state average of 50.94. This favorable profile means residents enjoy below-average exposure to major natural disasters overall.

Well below state average risk

Wilkinson County ranks among Mississippi's safer counties, with its 33.46 score positioning it in the lower-risk tier statewide. This puts the county among the state's better protected areas for natural disaster exposure.

Safest in its immediate area

Wilkinson County's risk profile is substantially lower than nearby Walthall County (25.54)—actually the state's safest—but significantly outpaces Wayne County (55.66) to the east. This makes Wilkinson a relatively safe zone within its region.

Hurricanes and tornadoes pose most concern

Wilkinson County residents face elevated hurricane risk (80.89) as the primary concern, followed by moderate tornado exposure (49.01) and manageable flood risk (33.84). Earthquake (28.31) and wildfire (37.50) threats remain secondary.

Hurricane coverage and standard policies

Wilkinson County homeowners should prioritize hurricane and wind damage coverage given the 80.89 hurricane risk score, considering a windstorm policy if standard coverage limits apply. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers tornado damage, but verify this protection with your agent given the 49.01 tornado risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wilkinson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    49th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wilkinson County

Risk Verdict

Wilkinson County's overall natural disaster score at the 33th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. At the 33th percentile, Wilkinson County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Wilkinson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (38th percentile), flood (34th percentile), earthquake (28th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 81th percentile nationally makes Wilkinson County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Wilkinson County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Tornado at the 49th percentile nationally is Wilkinson County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Wilkinson County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Wilkinson County's composite risk score sits 17.5 points below the Mississippi county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Wilkinson 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 Wilkinson County, MS?
Wilkinson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 33th 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 Wilkinson County?
Wilkinson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (81th percentile), tornado (49th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile), flooding (34th percentile), earthquake (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 81th 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 Wilkinson County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Wilkinson County's composite risk percentile is 33th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wilkinson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Wilkinson County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Wilkinson County's hurricane risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Wilkinson County is at the 34th 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 Wilkinson County a safe place to live?
Wilkinson County's composite risk score of 33th 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 hurricane at the 81th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Attala County

Mississippi

+0.7

Very Low

34th percentile

Clarke County

Mississippi

+2.6

Very Low

36th percentile

Tunica County

Mississippi

+2.8

Very Low

36th 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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