Lowndes County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Lowndes County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.9, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $34M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lowndes County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 80.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 81st 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 tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.50 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 1.11 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $34M in expected annual loss for a population of 59K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lowndes 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 federal record bears this out: Lowndes County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Lowndes County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.50 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.11 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 11.68 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.01 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 66.46 / yr | $533K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $14M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.94 / yr | $244K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.46 / yr | $527K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $593K |
| Drought | Medium | 14.92 / yr | $462K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $782 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.84 / yr | $15K |
| 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
Lowndes County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Hurricane (6), 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 |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
| August 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lowndes County?
Lowndes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low 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 Lowndes County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $6M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lowndes County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Lowndes County ranks #13 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lowndes County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Lowndes County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 6 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. Lowndes County's $34M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.