Natural Disaster Risk in Smith County
Mississippi
Risk Summary for Smith County
Smith County scores 6.1/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Hurricane.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Smith County, Mississippi
Smith County, in the United States in Mississippi, is characterized by its humid subtropical climate — very hot, humid summers and mild winters. The county faces overlapping tornado and hurricane seasons, and its FEMA risk assessment establishes the hazard baseline shared by all the towns and cities it contains.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Smith County carries an overall risk score of 6.1/10, placing it in the high category. Hurricane and tropical storm exposure tops the local risk profile, with the community vulnerable to storm surge, high sustained winds, and flooding rainfall during the June–November season. The area also faces notable exposure to hail and tornado.
Within Mississippi, Smith County'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 Smith County identifies hurricane as the foremost hazard, followed by hail 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, Smith County 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.
What this means for Smith County: Hurricane preparedness
- Keep at least a week of supplies on hand; power and water service can be disrupted for days after landfall.
- Wind damage is usually covered by homeowners insurance, but storm-surge flooding requires separate flood coverage.
- Know your evacuation zone and route before hurricane season begins each June.
Cities in Smith County
ZIP codes in Smith County
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. For informational purposes only.