Natural Disasters in Mississippi: History & Risk Data
44,225 recorded disaster events across 405 ZIP codes.
State Statistics
Event Timeline
Hazard Breakdown
Most Affected ZIP Codes in Mississippi
📊 Mississippi Disaster Profile
Mississippi has experienced 44,225 documented natural disaster events across its 405 ZIP codes. The cumulative documented property damage stands at $28.2B. A total of 2,796 fatalities have been attributed to natural disasters in the state.
⚠️ Hazard Distribution
Hailstorms lead Mississippi's disaster profile with 17,877 events (40%), causing $3.7B in property damage. Other significant hazards include floods (10,105 events, $9.4B in damages), tornadoes (9,488 events, $13.3B in damages), and blizzards (3,235 events, $457.7M in damages).
📍 Geographic Impact
The most disaster-affected areas in Mississippi include ZIP 39208 (441 events, $286M in damages), ZIP 39401 (397 events, $95.9M in damages), and ZIP 39042 (369 events, $140.6M in damages).
📈 Trends Over Time
Disaster frequency in Mississippi has increased markedly over time. The average annual event count in recent decades is roughly 568% higher than in earlier periods of the record. The year 2011 stands out as particularly active, with 2,919 events recorded — likely driven by a major weather system or disaster season.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Mississippi
What natural disasters occur in Mississippi?
Mississippi has experienced 44,225 documented natural disaster events. The hazard types recorded include hailstorms (17,877), floods (10,105), tornadoes (9,488), blizzards (3,235), severe wind events (2,241), wildfires (613), extreme cold events (292), extreme heat events (244), hurricanes (69), and earthquakes (61). The most common hazard is hailstorms, accounting for 40% of all events.
What are the most disaster-prone areas in Mississippi?
Based on historical records, the most disaster-affected ZIP codes in Mississippi are ZIP 39208 (441 events), ZIP 39401 (397 events), ZIP 39042 (369 events), ZIP 39213 (356 events), and ZIP 39209 (353 events). These areas have the highest concentration of recorded natural disaster events in the state.
How much damage have natural disasters caused in Mississippi?
Natural disasters have caused a documented $28.2B in property damage across Mississippi. This total is based on records from FEMA, NOAA, and USGS, covering events from the 1950s onward. The actual figure is likely higher, as not all events have complete damage records.
About This Data
State-level data aggregated from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →