Greene County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 42th
Greene County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 42.2, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Greene County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 42.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 42nd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.22 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $159K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Greene County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Greene County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 18 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Greene County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.22 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $159K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.68 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Low | 82.29 / yr | $169K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.22 / yr | $244K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.41 / yr | $814 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Low | 14.40 / yr | $33K |
| Hail | Low | 2.71 / yr | $100K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.11 / yr | $334K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $61K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.47 / yr | $211K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.55 / yr | $17K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.26 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Greene County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (18), Severe Storm (7), Winter Storm (2).
| 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 |
| December 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| 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 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Greene County?
Greene County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 42.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 42th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Greene County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $159K EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Greene County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Greene County ranks #53 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Greene County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for Greene County since 1969, most often 18 for hurricane events and 7 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. Greene County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.