Adams County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Adams County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.3, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Adams County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 57.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 16.37 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.43 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $657K in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 29K.
Beyond physical exposure, Adams County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Adams County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 11 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Adams County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 16.37 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.11 / yr | $657K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.44 / yr | $5K |
| Hail | Low | 2.50 / yr | $382K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.94 / yr | $104K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.22 / yr | $488K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.74 / yr | $770K |
| Lightning | Low | 75.04 / yr | $149K |
| Drought | Low | 13.67 / yr | $81K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $153K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.21 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Adams County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Severe Storm (6), Flood (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes. |
| October 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Adams County?
Adams County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Adams County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $657K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Adams County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Adams County ranks #33 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Adams County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Adams County since 1965, most often 11 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in February 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. Adams County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.