Grenada County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Grenada County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.4, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Grenada County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 55.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th 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 Grenada County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M 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 — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.36 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $361K in expected annual loss and about 65.14 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Grenada 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Grenada County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 10 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Grenada County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.36 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 65.14 / yr | $361K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.55 / yr | $4K |
| Hail | Low | 2.96 / yr | $351K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.68 / yr | $558K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.05 / yr | $505K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $145K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.00 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.21 / yr | $855K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.93 / yr | $71K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $29K |
| Drought | Low | 13.58 / yr | $87K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.21 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Grenada County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Hurricane (6), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| October 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Grenada County?
Grenada County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grenada County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $361K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grenada County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Grenada County ranks #37 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grenada County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Grenada County since 1971, most often 10 for severe storm events and 6 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. Grenada County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.