Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Jefferson Davis County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.1, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Jefferson Davis County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 23.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $904K in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $253K in expected annual loss and about 4.16 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $149K in expected annual loss and about 10.37 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jefferson Davis 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.
History supports the rating: Jefferson Davis County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 16 for hurricane events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Jefferson Davis County ranks #70 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.13 / yr | $904K |
| Hail | Low | 4.16 / yr | $253K |
| Drought | Low | 10.37 / yr | $149K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $41K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.79 / yr | $289K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.57 / yr | $826K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.96 / yr | $36K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.28 / yr | $262K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $469 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $80K |
| Lightning | Low | 76.63 / yr | $87K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $12K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $108K |
| 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
Jefferson Davis County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (16), Severe Storm (8), 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 |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura |
Showing the 10 most recent of 33 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jefferson Davis County?
Jefferson Davis County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jefferson Davis County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $904K EAL), Hail (Low, $253K EAL), Drought (Low, $149K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jefferson Davis County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Jefferson Davis County ranks #70 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jefferson Davis County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Jefferson Davis County since 1969, most often 16 for hurricane events and 8 for severe storm 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. Jefferson Davis County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.