Prentiss County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Prentiss County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.5, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Prentiss County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 51.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.16 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Prentiss 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.
The federal record bears this out: Prentiss County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 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, Prentiss County ranks #40 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.71 / yr | $5K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.84 / yr | $636K |
| Lightning | Medium | 62.27 / yr | $233K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $103K |
| Drought | Low | 13.34 / yr | $74K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.58 / yr | $340K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.91 / yr | $43K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.89 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.46 / yr | $84K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.68 / 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
Prentiss County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Hurricane (4), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| October 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| December 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Prentiss County?
Prentiss County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Prentiss County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Prentiss County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Prentiss County ranks #40 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Prentiss County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Prentiss County since 1973, most often 13 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. Prentiss County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.