Monroe County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Monroe County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.5, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Monroe County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 68.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th 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 Monroe County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 1.11 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.72 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Monroe 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 federal record bears this out: Monroe County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 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, Monroe County ranks #23 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 1.11 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.72 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 16.74 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 66.01 / yr | $569K |
| Drought | Medium | 16.11 / yr | $418K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $458K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.96 / yr | $100K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.89 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Low | 3.59 / yr | $178K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.39 / yr | $294K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.84 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Monroe County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Hurricane (6), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| October 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Monroe County?
Monroe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Monroe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Monroe County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Monroe County ranks #23 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Monroe County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Monroe County since 1973, most often 13 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. Monroe County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.