Yazoo County

Mississippi — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

71.2

National percentile: 71th

Yazoo County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.2, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $19M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 27K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Lightning
High $1M/yr
Cold Wave
High $5M/yr
Drought
Medium $1M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Lightning High 67.57 / yr $1M
Cold Wave High 0.95 / yr $5M
Drought Medium 18.43 / yr $1M
Tornado Medium 1.21 / yr $4M
Hail Medium 4.04 / yr $732K
Strong Wind Medium 3.43 / yr $879K
Heat Wave Low 17.00 / yr $859K
Landslide Low 0.51 / yr $4K
Hurricane Low 0.07 / yr $393K
Ice Storm Medium 1.02 / yr $118K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $340K
Winter Weather Low 2.58 / yr $42K
Riverine Flood Low 1.64 / yr $4M
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $21K
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 Yazoo County?

Yazoo County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Yazoo County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Yazoo County compare to other Mississippi counties?

Yazoo County ranks #19 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. Yazoo County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.