DeSoto County
Mississippi — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 89th
DeSoto County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.0, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $86M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.30 / yr | $19M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $24M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 21.63 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.47 / yr | $9M |
| Lightning | High | 62.14 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.29 / yr | $22M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.58 / yr | $12K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.03 / yr | $276K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $164K |
| Hail | Low | 2.92 / yr | $434K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $80K |
| Drought | Low | 12.28 / yr | $146K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.79 / yr | $57K |
| 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 DeSoto County?
DeSoto County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 89th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in DeSoto County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $19M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $24M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does DeSoto County compare to other Mississippi counties?
DeSoto County ranks #4 of 82 Mississippi counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. DeSoto County's $86M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.