Natural Disaster Risk in Arcola

Natural Hazard Profile: Arcola, Mississippi

Arcola, in Washington County, is a small unincorporated community situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid subtropical climate brings very hot, humid summers and mild winters, and in particular overlapping tornado and hurricane seasons. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Arcola residents and property owners must navigate.

Arcola's overall natural disaster risk is rated 7.0/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant tornado risk, positioned where atmospheric conditions regularly generate severe rotating thunderstorms capable of producing violent tornadoes. Secondary hazards include drought and earthquake.

Within Mississippi, Arcola's risk is, slightly above the 6.1/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Washington County identifies tornado as the foremost hazard, followed by drought and earthquake. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Arcola residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for tornado and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.