Neshoba County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
Neshoba County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.3, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Neshoba County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 58.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 58th 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.
Risk here concentrates in tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.70 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $736K in expected annual loss and about 3.82 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 29K.
Beyond physical exposure, Neshoba County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
History supports the rating: Neshoba County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 8 for severe storm events and 7 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Neshoba County ranks #31 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.70 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.82 / yr | $736K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.09 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $797K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.05 / yr | $804K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.21 / yr | $665K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.43 / yr | $3K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $126K |
| Lightning | Medium | 71.25 / yr | $242K |
| Drought | Low | 14.97 / yr | $172K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.53 / yr | $46K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.25 / yr | $4M |
| 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
Neshoba County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Hurricane (7), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes. |
| October 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| December 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Neshoba County?
Neshoba County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Neshoba County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Hail (Medium, $736K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Neshoba County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Neshoba County ranks #31 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Neshoba County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Neshoba County since 1974, most often 8 for severe storm events and 7 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. Neshoba County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.