Marshall County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Marshall County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.2, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Marshall County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 71.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st 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.
Most of Marshall County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.45 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $14K in expected annual loss and about 1.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marshall County has a very 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: Marshall County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 8 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, Marshall County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.45 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.42 / yr | $14K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 17.26 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $245K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.21 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 61.88 / yr | $291K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $44K |
| Drought | Low | 10.91 / yr | $82K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.72 / yr | $43K |
| Hail | Low | 3.20 / yr | $114K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.29 / yr | $262K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.89 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Marshall County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), 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 |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Marshall County?
Marshall County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marshall County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $6M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Landslide (Low, $14K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marshall County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Marshall County ranks #18 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marshall County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Marshall County since 1971, most often 8 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. Marshall County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.