Lafayette County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Lafayette County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.4, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Lafayette County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 64.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 1.16 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $43K in expected annual loss and about 1.53 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $26M in expected annual loss for a population of 56K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lafayette County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Lafayette County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 9 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Lafayette County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $6M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.53 / yr | $43K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.45 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 17.84 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 63.86 / yr | $648K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $245K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.49 / yr | $664K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.70 / yr | $88K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $45K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.00 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Low | 3.12 / yr | $213K |
| Drought | Low | 10.23 / yr | $32K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.63 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Lafayette County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Hurricane (4), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lafayette County?
Lafayette County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lafayette County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $4M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $6M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $43K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lafayette County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Lafayette County ranks #26 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lafayette County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Lafayette County since 1971, most often 9 for severe storm events and 4 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. Lafayette County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.