Wayne County
Mississippi — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 56th
Wayne County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.7, 56th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.17 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.82 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.11 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 76.70 / yr | $248K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.54 / yr | $1K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.42 / yr | $337K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $234K |
| Drought | Low | 10.78 / yr | $123K |
| Hail | Low | 3.19 / yr | $191K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.71 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.72 / yr | $237K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.52 / yr | $22K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.42 / yr | $18K |
| 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 Wayne County?
Wayne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.7 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 Wayne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $5M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wayne County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Wayne County ranks #36 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Wayne County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.