Mississippi County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 89th
Mississippi County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.2, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $52M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Mississippi County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 89.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 89th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Mississippi County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 12.88 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $32M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.35 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $52M in expected annual loss for a population of 41K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mississippi County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Mississippi County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 8 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, Mississippi County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 12.88 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $32M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.35 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 58.12 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 20.00 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.00 / yr | $149K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.37 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Low | 3.20 / yr | $204K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $65K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.74 / yr | $282K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $408 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Mississippi County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (3), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Laura |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mississippi County?
Mississippi County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 89th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mississippi County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $32M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mississippi County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Mississippi County ranks #5 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mississippi County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Mississippi County since 1973, most often 8 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Mississippi County's $52M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.