Natural Disaster Risk in Greenwood

Natural Hazard Profile: Greenwood, Mississippi

Greenwood, in Leflore County, is a city of approximately 22,700 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 Greenwood residents and property owners must navigate.

Greenwood's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.5/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant drought exposure, where below-average precipitation over extended periods strains water resources and drives secondary hazards like wildfire and crop failure. Secondary hazards include earthquake and tornado.

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

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