Winston County, Mississippi Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Winston County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.9, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Winston County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 39.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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.
Most of Winston County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.67 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $742K in expected annual loss and about 2.63 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $456K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 18K.
Beyond physical exposure, Winston County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Winston County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 82 Mississippi counties, Winston County ranks #56 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.67 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.63 / yr | $742K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $456K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $447K |
| Hail | Low | 3.54 / yr | $296K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.63 / yr | $421K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.11 / yr | $889K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.93 / yr | $82K |
| Drought | Low | 13.65 / yr | $153K |
| Lightning | Low | 69.27 / yr | $155K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $729 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.11 / yr | $33K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.14 / yr | $2M |
| 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
Winston County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Severe Storm (4), 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 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaac |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Winston County?
Winston County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Winston County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $742K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $456K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Winston County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Winston County ranks #56 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Winston County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Winston County since 1977, most often 7 for hurricane events and 4 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. Winston County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.