Laurel, MS
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Laurel is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Jones County, MS. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, hurricane, and strong wind.
Storm events near Laurel
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Laurel's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Laurel itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Jones County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Laurel along with the rest of the county, not a Laurel-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 73.9 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 71.5 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 77.7 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 84.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 93.2 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 72 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 54.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 81.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 91 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 66.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 66.3 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 82.5 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 89.7 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 64.5 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Jones County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Jones County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Laurel, MS at risk of?
Laurel is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Jones County, where Laurel is located, are tornado, hurricane, and strong wind.
What is Laurel's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Jones County, where Laurel is located, scoring 93.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Laurel a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Laurel carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Jones County.
Has Laurel had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 70 tornado, 65 hail, 135 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Laurel since 2016.