Newton County
Mississippi — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Newton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.4, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Medium | 0.77 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.12 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.95 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.26 / yr | $639K |
| Hail | Low | 4.00 / yr | $300K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.63 / yr | $458K |
| Drought | Low | 16.27 / yr | $223K |
| Lightning | Medium | 71.85 / yr | $211K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.40 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $254K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.00 / yr | $75K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.42 / yr | $32K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $3M |
| 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 Newton County?
Newton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Newton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Newton County compare to other Mississippi counties?
Newton County ranks #38 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. Newton County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.