Natural Disaster Risk in Hazlehurst

Natural Hazard Profile: Hazlehurst, Mississippi

Hazlehurst is a town of roughly 8,592 residents in Copiah County, in the Deep South. The area experiences very hot, humid summers and mild winters, with overlapping tornado and hurricane seasons shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Hazlehurst.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Hazlehurst carries an overall risk score of 6.6/10, placing it in the high category. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. The area also faces notable exposure to tornado and hail.

Hazlehurst's risk score, slightly above the 6.1/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Copiah County, the highest-scoring are landslide, tornado, and hail. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

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