Lauderdale County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Lauderdale County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.0, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $45M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lauderdale County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 87.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 87th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Lauderdale County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 0.95 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $947K in expected annual loss and about 71.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $45M in expected annual loss for a population of 73K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lauderdale County has a very 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Lauderdale County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 9 for hurricane events and 4 for tornado events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Lauderdale County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.95 / yr | $15M |
| Tornado | High | 0.80 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | High | 71.58 / yr | $947K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 10.84 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.96 / yr | $30K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.11 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.85 / yr | $324K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.43 / yr | $14M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.66 / yr | $769K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.32 / yr | $110K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.38 / yr | $461K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $51K |
| Drought | Low | 11.87 / yr | $116K |
| 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
Lauderdale County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Tornado (4), Severe Storm (4).
| 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 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2017 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaac |
| August 2012 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaac |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lauderdale County?
Lauderdale County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lauderdale County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $15M EAL), Tornado (High, $8M EAL), Lightning (High, $947K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lauderdale County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Lauderdale County ranks #5 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lauderdale County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Lauderdale County since 1973, most often 9 for hurricane events and 4 for tornado 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. Lauderdale County's $45M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.