Lee County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Lee County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.3, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $38M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lee County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 81.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 81st 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 Lee County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 1.16 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 16.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $38M in expected annual loss for a population of 83K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lee County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Lee County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 11 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, Lee County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.16 / yr | $8M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 16.21 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 63.75 / yr | $898K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.36 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.96 / yr | $12M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.97 / yr | $199K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $451K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.34 / yr | $4K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.12 / yr | $723K |
| Hail | Low | 3.33 / yr | $388K |
| Drought | Low | 13.37 / yr | $190K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.26 / yr | $30K |
| 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
Lee County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), 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 |
| 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 |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lee County?
Lee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $8M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $8M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lee County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Lee County ranks #12 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lee County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Lee County since 1973, most often 11 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. Lee County's $38M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.