Itawamba County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Itawamba County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.6, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Itawamba County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th 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 Itawamba County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 1.16 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $496K in expected annual loss and about 63.48 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $965K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 24K.
Beyond physical exposure, Itawamba County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Itawamba County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 14 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, Itawamba County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 1.16 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | Medium | 63.48 / yr | $496K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $965K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.88 / yr | $7K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.95 / yr | $702K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.49 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $88K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.01 / yr | $378K |
| Drought | Low | 17.98 / yr | $53K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.91 / yr | $36K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.71 / yr | $89K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.11 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Itawamba County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Hurricane (5), 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 |
| August 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes. |
| October 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| December 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Itawamba County?
Itawamba County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Itawamba County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $496K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $965K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Itawamba County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Itawamba County ranks #45 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Itawamba County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Itawamba County since 1973, most often 14 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. Itawamba County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.