Benton County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 15th
Benton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 15.2, 15th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Benton County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 15.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 15th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Benton County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $874K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 1.09 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $901K in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Benton 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Benton County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 7 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Benton County ranks #76 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $874K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.09 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $901K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 16.16 / yr | $220K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.21 / yr | $402K |
| Drought | Low | 11.15 / yr | $38K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $15K |
| Lightning | Low | 61.41 / yr | $65K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.60 / yr | $7K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.33 / yr | $73K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.46 / yr | $25K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Benton County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Hurricane (4), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Benton County?
Benton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 15.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 15th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Benton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $874K EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL), Tornado (Low, $901K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Benton County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Benton County ranks #76 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Benton County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Benton County since 1971, most often 7 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane 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. Benton County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.