Forrest County
Mississippi — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
Forrest County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.1, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $33M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.55 / yr | $8M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.59 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | High | 81.51 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.05 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $414K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.20 / yr | $681K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.61 / yr | $11M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $629K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.70 / yr | $130K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 1.63 / yr | $83K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $1K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.74 / yr | $639K |
| Drought | Low | 14.58 / yr | $71K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Forrest County?
Forrest County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Forrest County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $8M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Forrest County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Forrest County ranks #15 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Forrest County's $33M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.