Rankin County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Rankin County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.0, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $60M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Rankin County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 85.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 4.62 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 1.24 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 15.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $60M in expected annual loss for a population of 153K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rankin County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Rankin County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 10 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, Rankin County ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 4.62 / yr | $8M |
| Tornado | High | 1.24 / yr | $12M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 15.00 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.89 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 72.43 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.25 / yr | $755K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $5M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.09 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.53 / yr | $244K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.71 / yr | $21M |
| Drought | Medium | 13.59 / yr | $440K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $3K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $69K |
| 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
Rankin County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Severe Storm (6), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rankin County?
Rankin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rankin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $8M EAL), Tornado (High, $12M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rankin County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Rankin County ranks #8 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rankin County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Rankin County since 1969, most often 10 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. Rankin County's $60M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.