George County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
George County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.0, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates George County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 58.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 58th 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 George County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $305K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $501K in expected annual loss and about 84.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 24K.
Beyond physical exposure, George County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: George County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 21 for hurricane events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, George County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $14M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $305K |
| Lightning | Medium | 84.51 / yr | $501K |
| Drought | Low | 17.38 / yr | $190K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.75 / yr | $420K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.46 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.37 / yr | $149K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.16 / yr | $340K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.96 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $313 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $71K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.69 / yr | $29K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.95 / yr | $356K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.90 / yr | $13K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
George County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (21), Severe Storm (5), 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 |
| December 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 33 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for George County?
George County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in George County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $14M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $305K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $501K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does George County compare to other Mississippi counties?
George County ranks #32 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has George County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for George County since 1969, most often 21 for hurricane events and 5 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. George County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.