Marion County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Marion County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.0, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Marion County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 60.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 60th 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.15 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.48 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $208K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 24K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marion County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The federal record bears this out: Marion County has received 37 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 15 for hurricane events and 12 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Marion County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.15 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.48 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $208K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.69 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.63 / yr | $587K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.72 / yr | $473K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.33 / yr | $1K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.93 / yr | $72K |
| Lightning | Low | 79.75 / yr | $180K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $203K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.11 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | Low | 14.85 / yr | $87K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.74 / yr | $394K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.53 / yr | $26K |
| 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
Marion County has received 37 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), Severe Storm (12), Flood (3).
| 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 |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura |
| April 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
Showing the 10 most recent of 37 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Marion County?
Marion County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marion County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $6M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $208K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marion County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Marion County ranks #30 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marion County had?
FEMA records 37 federal disaster declarations for Marion County since 1969, most often 15 for hurricane events and 12 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. Marion County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.