Pontotoc County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Pontotoc County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.1, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pontotoc County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 50.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.38 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $951K in expected annual loss and about 16.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pontotoc 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pontotoc County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 8 for severe storm events and 5 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Pontotoc County ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.38 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 16.47 / yr | $951K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.46 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Medium | 64.09 / yr | $327K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $274K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.82 / yr | $468K |
| Drought | Low | 11.05 / yr | $133K |
| Hail | Low | 3.25 / yr | $219K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.88 / yr | $62K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.89 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.21 / 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
Pontotoc County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Hurricane (5), 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 |
| December 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
| August 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pontotoc County?
Pontotoc County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pontotoc County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $951K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pontotoc County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Pontotoc County ranks #43 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pontotoc County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Pontotoc County since 1971, most often 8 for severe storm events and 5 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. Pontotoc County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.