Scott County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 56th
Scott County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.9, 56th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and hurricane 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 Scott County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 55.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 56th 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.
Most of Scott County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.58 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.11 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 0.90 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Scott County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Scott County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, 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, Scott County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 4.58 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.11 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.90 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.84 / yr | $748K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.74 / yr | $654K |
| Lightning | Medium | 71.59 / yr | $295K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $434K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.15 / yr | $119K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 14.88 / yr | $195K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.47 / yr | $44K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $326 |
| 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
Scott County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, 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 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Scott County?
Scott County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 56th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Scott County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Scott County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Scott County ranks #34 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Scott County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Scott County since 1977, 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. Scott County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.