Noxubee County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 29th
Noxubee County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.0, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Noxubee County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 29.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 29th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $365K in expected annual loss and about 13.94 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $374K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $410K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Noxubee County has a very 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: Noxubee County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Noxubee County ranks #63 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 13.94 / yr | $365K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $374K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $410K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.53 / yr | $383K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.72 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $675K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.91 / yr | $55K |
| Hail | Low | 3.35 / yr | $130K |
| Lightning | Low | 68.50 / yr | $100K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.19 / yr | $240K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.95 / yr | $18K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $132 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Noxubee County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Severe Storm (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 |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornado |
| August 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaac |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Noxubee County?
Noxubee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 29.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Noxubee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $365K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $374K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $410K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Noxubee County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Noxubee County ranks #63 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Noxubee County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Noxubee County since 1977, most often 7 for hurricane events and 6 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. Noxubee County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.