Mississippi County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Mississippi County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.2, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Mississippi County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 57.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Mississippi County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $425K in expected annual loss and about 1.40 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $846K in expected annual loss and about 10.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mississippi County has a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Mississippi County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Mississippi County ranks #46 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.40 / yr | $425K |
| Drought | Medium | 10.89 / yr | $846K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.38 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.11 / yr | $569K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.28 / yr | $629K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.42 / yr | $63K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $639K |
| Lightning | Low | 56.08 / yr | $122K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $18K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.97 / yr | $89K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.50 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $39 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $514 |
| 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
Mississippi County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (5), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2017 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mississippi County?
Mississippi County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mississippi County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $8M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $425K EAL), Drought (Medium, $846K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mississippi County compare to other Missouri counties?
Mississippi County ranks #46 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mississippi County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Mississippi County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 2025.
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. Mississippi County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.