Washington County
Mississippi — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Washington County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.0, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $30M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.67 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | High | 14.88 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.13 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 18.74 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.45 / yr | $902K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.93 / yr | $13M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $267K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 63.48 / yr | $364K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $442K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $292 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.26 / yr | $14K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $6M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $4M EAL), Drought (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Washington County ranks #9 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
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. Washington County's $30M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.