Webster County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Webster County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.6, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Webster County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 12.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 — $394K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $221K in expected annual loss and about 15.47 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $90K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Webster County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Webster County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 9 for severe storm events and 5 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Webster County ranks #78 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $394K |
| Drought | Low | 15.47 / yr | $221K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $90K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.36 / yr | $844K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.05 / yr | $222K |
| Hail | Low | 3.38 / yr | $148K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.06 / yr | $44K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $564 |
| Lightning | Low | 67.12 / yr | $120K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $456K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.07 / yr | $172K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.84 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Webster County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Hurricane (5), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, 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 Webster County?
Webster County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Webster County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $394K EAL), Drought (Low, $221K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $90K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Webster County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Webster County ranks #78 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Webster County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Webster County since 1973, most often 9 for severe storm events and 5 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. Webster County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.