Humphreys County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Humphreys County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.9, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Humphreys County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 27.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 14.52 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $252K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $338K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Humphreys County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Humphreys County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 10 for severe storm events and 5 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Humphreys County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 14.52 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $252K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $338K |
| Hail | Low | 3.41 / yr | $192K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 18.32 / yr | $268K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $650K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.46 / yr | $758K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.03 / yr | $51K |
| Lightning | Low | 65.10 / yr | $95K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.85 / yr | $204K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.16 / yr | $15K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $28 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Humphreys County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Hurricane (5), Flood (3).
| 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 |
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes. |
| March 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| October 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Humphreys County?
Humphreys County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Humphreys County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $252K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $338K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Humphreys County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Humphreys County ranks #64 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Humphreys County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Humphreys County since 1971, most often 10 for severe storm events and 5 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. Humphreys County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.