Natural Disaster Risk in Decatur

Natural Hazard Profile: Decatur, Mississippi

Decatur, in Newton County, is a town of roughly 4,509 residents 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 Decatur residents and property owners must navigate.

Decatur's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.4/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Tropical cyclones are the dominant hazard, with the area facing threats from both direct landfalling hurricanes and the outer rain bands and storm surge of systems making landfall nearby. Secondary hazards include tornado and cold wave.

Within Mississippi, Decatur's risk is, near the 6.1/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Newton County identifies hurricane as the foremost hazard, followed by tornado and cold wave. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Decatur residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for hurricane 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.