States › Mississippi › Lawrence County
Lawrence County, Mississippi
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
Between 1950 and 2026, NCEI recorded 476 storm events in Lawrence County, Mississippi, led by damaging wind.
That is 110.5 events per 100 square miles, in line with the Mississippi figure of 89.7, and 403.0 per 10,000 residents against 142.8 statewide.
22 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 9 deaths and 59 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $120M and crop damage at $48M.
FEMA has designated the county in 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (major disaster, 30 Jun 2026).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 43 claims since 1978, of which 31 were paid, totalling $672K (about $22K per paid claim). FEMA counts 40 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Very Low" and its expected annual loss as "Very Low" ($6.5M a year across 18 hazards).
61 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 2 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Mississippi and the United States
| Measure | Lawrence County | Mississippi | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 476 | 42,114 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 110.5 | 89.7 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 403.0 | 142.8 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 22 | 1,524 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 9 | 928 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $120M | $31B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 3.6 | 21.9 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $22K | $58K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 12.5 | 11.5 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 286 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 139 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Apr 1978 | Tornado | Tornado | F4 | $250K | — | 4 | 31 | County |
| 12 Apr 2020 | Tornado | Tornado | EF3 | $750K | $2.5M | 2 | 3 | County |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 75 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 60 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 64 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 29 Aug 2005 | Hurricane (Typhoon) | Tropical | — | $100M | $40M | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 Feb 1974 | Tornado | Tornado | F3 | $250K | — | — | 13 | County |
| 25 Dec 2012 | Tornado | Tornado | EF2 | $200K | — | — | 7 | County |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 13 May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 100 mph | $700K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 16 Jan 2018 | Heavy Snow | Winter | — | $70K | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 26 Aug 1992 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $25K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 12 Apr 2020 | Tornado | Tornado | EF3 | $1.1M | $1.5M | — | — | County |
| 12 Apr 1986 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $2.5M | — | — | — | County |
| 5 May 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 90 mph | $1.2M | — | — | — | County |
| 25 Jul 2017 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $1.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 1 Nov 2023 | Drought | Drought | — | — | $950K | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Jun 2007 | Drought | Drought | — | — | $900K | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 13 May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 105 mph | $750K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Feb 2010 | Heavy Snow | Winter | — | $700K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jun 2026 | DR-4922 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 6 Feb 2026 | DR-4899 | Major disaster | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 24 Jan 2026 | EM-3640 | Emergency | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 12 Aug 2023 | DR-4727 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes. | Public assistance |
| 22 Oct 2021 | DR-4626 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida | Public assistance |
| 28 Aug 2021 | EM-3569 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida | Public assistance |
| 4 May 2021 | DR-4598 | Major disaster | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms | Public assistance |
| 8 Oct 2020 | EM-3548 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta | Public assistance |
| 14 Sep 2020 | EM-3544 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally | Public assistance |
| 23 Aug 2020 | EM-3539 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Marco And Tropical Storm Laura | Public assistance |
| 9 Jul 2020 | DR-4551 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 16 Apr 2020 | DR-4536 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 5 Apr 2020 | DR-4528 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3474 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 25 Mar 2016 | DR-4268 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 29 Aug 2012 | DR-4081 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaac | Public assistance |
| 28 Aug 2012 | EM-3348 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaac | Public assistance |
| 12 May 2009 | DR-1837 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Public assistance |
| 22 Sep 2008 | DR-1794 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav | Public assistance |
| 30 Aug 2008 | EM-3291 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav | Public assistance |
| 29 Aug 2005 | DR-1604 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 15 Sep 2004 | DR-1550 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Ivan | Public assistance |
| 24 Apr 2003 | DR-1459 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods | Individual assistance |
| 28 Sep 1998 | EM-3132 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Georges | Public assistance |
| 28 Feb 1990 | DR-859 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 16 Apr 1983 | DR-678 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding & Tornadoes | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 16 Apr 1979 | DR-577 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Storms, Tornadoes, Floods | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 24 Apr 1978 | EM-3063 | Emergency | Tornado | Tornadoes | Individual assistance |
| 22 Feb 1977 | EM-3032 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Drought & Freezing | Public assistance |
| 18 Apr 1974 | DR-430 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 27 Mar 1973 | DR-368 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Heavy Rains, Tornadoes & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 19 Jan 1972 | DR-318 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding | Public assistance |
| 18 Aug 1969 | DR-271 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Camille | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | $11,291 | $11,291 |
| 2020 | 3 | 2 | $140,202 | $70,101 |
| 2017 | 1 | 1 | $67,300 | $67,300 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 | $16,883 | $16,883 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2011 | 2 | 1 | $40,830 | $40,830 |
| 2009 | 1 | 1 | $112,157 | $112,157 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2005 | 2 | 1 | $36,808 | $36,808 |
| 2003 | 1 | 1 | $32,902 | $32,902 |
| 2001 | 3 | 1 | $28,010 | $28,010 |
| 1994 | 2 | 2 | $23,998 | $11,999 |
| 1991 | 2 | 2 | $33,822 | $16,911 |
| 1990 | 5 | 4 | $27,429 | $6,857 |
| 1989 | 2 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 1983 | 8 | 7 | $44,238 | $6,320 |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 | $6,743 | $6,743 |
| 1980 | 3 | 3 | $17,454 | $5,818 |
| 1979 | 2 | 2 | $31,800 | $15,900 |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $2,561,185 | |
| Tornado | $1,179,557 | |
| Hurricane | $1,160,183 | |
| Strong wind | $372,146 | |
| Hail | $364,398 | |
| Heat wave | $332,526 | |
| Cold wave | $143,217 | |
| Earthquake | $127,226 | |
| Drought | $103,333 | |
| Lightning | $83,451 | |
| Wildfire | $46,230 | |
| Ice storm | $38,862 | |
| Winter weather | $14,052 | |
| Landslide | $567 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Francine | 2024 | 73 mi | 52 mph |
| Claudette | 2021 | 67 mi | 40 mph |
| Ida | 2021 | 47 mi | 75 mph |
| Cristobal | 2020 | 72 mi | 40 mph |
| Zeta | 2020 | 94 mi | 98 mph |
| Olga | 2019 | 12 mi | 52 mph |
| Gordon | 2018 | 84 mi | 52 mph |
| Lee | 2011 | 66 mi | 46 mph |
| Cindy | 2005 | 88 mi | 52 mph |
| Katrina | 2005 | 43 mi | 121 mph |
| Bill | 2003 | 80 mi | 52 mph |
| Isidore | 2002 | 48 mi | 46 mph |
| Allison | 2001 | 72 mi | 46 mph |
| Georges | 1998 | 93 mi | 75 mph |
| Erin | 1995 | 79 mi | 52 mph |
| Andrew | 1992 | 59 mi | 58 mph |
| Elena | 1985 | 42 mi | 115 mph |
| Bob | 1979 | 38 mi | 46 mph |
| Frederic | 1979 | 94 mi | 75 mph |
| Edith | 1971 | 21 mi | 46 mph |
| Camille | 1969 | 33 mi | 173 mph |
| Hilda | 1964 | 72 mi | 69 mph |
| Ethel | 1960 | 70 mi | 63 mph |
| Esther | 1957 | 35 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1956 | 48 mi | 40 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Lawrence County, MS?
NCEI records 109 hail events in Lawrence County since 1950, in 38 different years; that is about 1.4 recorded events a year. 22 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Lawrence County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 41 tornadoes in Lawrence County since 1950, 11 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 6.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Lawrence County?
30 Jun 2026: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding, a major disaster declaration for severe storm. The county appears in 33 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Lawrence County, and how much was paid?
43 NFIP claims since 1978, 31 of them paid, for $672K in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Lawrence County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Very Low" for overall risk, "Very Low" for expected annual loss, "Relatively High" for social vulnerability and "Very Low" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Lawrence County compare with the rest of Mississippi?
110.5 recorded events per 100 square miles against 89.7 statewide, and 3.6 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 21.9. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.