Hancock County
Mississippi — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Hancock County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.7, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $38M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.22 / yr | $18M |
| Lightning | High | 85.95 / yr | $1000K |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 6.08 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 13.90 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.49 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.71 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.00 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 20.74 / yr | $168K |
| Hail | Low | 1.77 / yr | $251K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $157K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.46 / yr | $36K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.47 / yr | $274K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 0.84 / yr | $29K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $69 |
| Avalanche | 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 Hancock County?
Hancock County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hancock County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $18M EAL), Lightning (High, $1000K EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hancock County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Hancock County ranks #10 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Hancock County's $38M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.