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

Yalobusha County Disaster Risk

Yalobusha County, Mississippi

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

20th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#71

of 82 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

19th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Yalobusha County, Mississippi

Yalobusha's natural disaster risk is well below average

With a composite risk score of 19.53 and a Very Low rating, Yalobusha County faces significantly lower natural disaster risk than the typical American county. The national average composite risk score sits around 40-50, meaning Yalobusha residents enjoy substantially better odds against major hazards.

One of Mississippi's safest counties

Yalobusha ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Mississippi, with a composite score of 19.53 compared to the state average of 50.94. This means Yalobusha residents face roughly 2.6 times less natural disaster risk than the typical Mississippian.

Much safer than nearby Yazoo County

Yalobusha's composite risk score of 19.53 is dramatically lower than neighboring Yazoo County's 71.15—a difference of nearly 52 points. This makes Yalobusha one of the safest counties in the region, particularly for tornado and earthquake hazards.

Tornadoes and earthquakes pose modest concerns

While overall risk is low, Yalobusha's tornado risk score of 49.24 and earthquake risk of 71.69 represent the county's highest hazard exposures. Flood risk remains minimal at 19.15, and wildfire risk is low at 39.15.

Basic coverage keeps you prepared

Even in a low-risk county, homeowners should maintain standard property insurance and consider a separate tornado safety plan for the spring season. A simple safe room or basement shelter can provide critical protection during severe weather events.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Yalobusha County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    72th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    49th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Yalobusha County

Risk Verdict

Yalobusha County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 20th percentile nationally. Yalobusha County residents can take confidence from a 20th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Yalobusha County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (49th percentile), wildfire (39th percentile), flood (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Yalobusha County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Alongside earthquake exposure, Yalobusha County's hurricane risk at the 54th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Yalobusha County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Mississippi county average exceeds Yalobusha County's score by 31.4 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Yalobusha 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 Yalobusha County, MS?
Yalobusha County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 20th 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 Yalobusha County?
Yalobusha County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (72th percentile), hurricane (54th percentile), tornado (49th percentile), wildfire (39th percentile), flooding (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 72th 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 Yalobusha County risk compare to the Mississippi average?
Yalobusha County's composite risk percentile is 20th, compared to the Mississippi state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Yalobusha County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Mississippi.
Is Yalobusha County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Yalobusha County's earthquake risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Yalobusha County is at the 19th 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 Yalobusha County a safe place to live?
Yalobusha County's composite risk score of 20th 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 72th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.