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

Winston County Disaster Risk

Winston County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

40th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#56

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

22th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Winston County, Mississippi

Winston County shows low hazard exposure

Winston County's composite risk score of 39.89 earns a very low rating, placing it below Mississippi's state average of 50.94. While the county faces some natural hazards, its overall risk profile remains manageable compared to state peers.

Below-average risk in Mississippi

Winston County ranks in the safer tier of Mississippi's 82 counties for natural disaster risk, with its 39.89 score comfortably below the state median. This positions Winston among the state's more protected counties.

Safer than Union, riskier than Webster

Winston County's risk profile sits between its neighbors: Union County (43.51) faces moderately higher hazards, while Webster County (12.60) ranks as the state's safest. This middle positioning makes Winston a relatively safe area regionally.

Tornadoes and hurricanes lead threats

Winston County residents face elevated tornado risk (79.17) as the primary concern, followed by notable hurricane exposure (72.55) and moderate earthquake risk (68.48). Wildfire (35.53) and flood (22.23) risks remain secondary and manageable.

Tornado and wind coverage essential

Winston County homeowners should ensure their policies include strong tornado and wind protection given the 79.17 tornado risk score. Verify comprehensive coverage for hail and storm damage, and consider a windstorm policy if standard homeowners coverage limits wind exposure given the 72.55 hurricane risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Winston County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    73th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    68th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Winston County

Risk Verdict

Winston County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 40th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Winston County's 40th 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

Tornado risk is Winston County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 73th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (68th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile), flood (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Winston County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 79th percentile nationally. In Winston County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Alongside tornado exposure, hurricane at the 73th percentile nationally means Winston County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Winston County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Winston County households.

Regional Context

Compared to the Mississippi county average, Winston County's composite score runs 11.1 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Winston 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 Winston County, MS?
Winston County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 40th 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 Winston County?
Winston County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (79th percentile), hurricane (73th percentile), earthquake (68th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile), flooding (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 79th 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 Winston County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Winston County's composite risk percentile is 40th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Winston County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Winston County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Winston County's tornado risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Winston County is at the 22th 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 Winston County a safe place to live?
Winston County's composite risk score of 40th 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 tornado at the 79th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Tallahatchie County

Mississippi

+0.2

Very Low

40th percentile

Jasper County

Mississippi

-1.0

Very Low

39th percentile

Tate County

Mississippi

+1.3

Very Low

41th 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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