Winston County
Mississippi — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.