Issaquena County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 8th
Issaquena County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 8.0, 8th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Issaquena County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 8.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 8th 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 Medium risk — $903K in expected annual loss and about 22.72 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $153K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $53K in expected annual loss and about 1.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 1K.
Beyond physical exposure, Issaquena 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.
The federal record bears this out: Issaquena 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, Issaquena County ranks #82 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 22.72 / yr | $903K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $153K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.02 / yr | $53K |
| Hail | Low | 3.85 / yr | $148K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $88K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.49 / yr | $344K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 19.21 / yr | $50K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $111K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.35 / yr | $89K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $925K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $15 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.11 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 65.29 / yr | $15K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Issaquena 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), Flood (4).
| 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 |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
| April 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
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 Issaquena County?
Issaquena County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 8.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 8th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Issaquena County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $903K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $153K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $53K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Issaquena County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Issaquena County ranks #82 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Issaquena County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Issaquena 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. Issaquena County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.