Coahoma County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 63th
Coahoma County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.5, 63th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Coahoma County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 62.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 63rd 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.
Most of Coahoma County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.35 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $615K in expected annual loss and about 11.78 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Coahoma County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Coahoma County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 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, Coahoma County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 11.78 / yr | $615K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 23.37 / yr | $908K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.62 / yr | $758K |
| Hail | Low | 2.60 / yr | $284K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $131K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $598K |
| Lightning | Low | 61.77 / yr | $138K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.70 / yr | $39K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $164 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.32 / yr | $12K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / 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
Coahoma County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Hurricane (4), Flood (4).
| 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 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Coahoma County?
Coahoma County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 63th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Coahoma County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $4M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Drought (Medium, $615K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Coahoma County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Coahoma County ranks #28 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Coahoma County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Coahoma County since 1973, most often 10 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. Coahoma County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.