Natural Disaster Risk in Benton County
Mississippi
Risk Summary for Benton County
Benton County scores 4.8/10 (Moderate risk), near the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Earthquake.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Benton County, Mississippi
Benton County is located in the United States in Mississippi, home to roughly 7,620 residents. The county experiences very hot, humid summers and mild winters, with overlapping tornado and hurricane seasons shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Benton County carries an overall risk score of 4.8/10, placing it in the moderate category. Earthquake risk stands out in the local hazard profile, driven by proximity to fault systems with a history of significant ground movement. The area also faces notable exposure to landslide and tornado.
Benton County's risk score, slightly below the 6.1/10 state average and near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Benton County, the highest-scoring are earthquake, landslide, and tornado. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
With a moderate risk rating, Benton County residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for earthquake is recommended.
What this means for Benton County: Earthquake preparedness
- Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake damage — a separate earthquake policy or endorsement is needed.
- Secure heavy furniture, water heaters, and shelving to wall studs to reduce injury and damage during shaking.
- Identify "drop, cover, and hold on" spots in each room and keep an emergency kit with water for at least 72 hours.
Cities in Benton County
ZIP codes in Benton County
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. For informational purposes only.