Meridian, MS
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Meridian is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Lauderdale County, MS. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, tornado, and lightning.
Storm events near Meridian
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Meridian's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Meridian 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 Lauderdale County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Meridian along with the rest of the county, not a Meridian-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 57.7 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 80.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 81.7 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 90.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 94.4 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 98.2 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 52.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 73.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 83.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 81.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 87.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 92 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 74.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 74.2 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Lauderdale County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Lauderdale County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Meridian, MS at risk of?
Meridian is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Lauderdale County, where Meridian is located, are cold wave, tornado, and lightning.
What is Meridian's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Lauderdale County, where Meridian is located, scoring 98.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Meridian a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Meridian carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Lauderdale County.
Has Meridian had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 58 tornado, 50 hail, 74 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Meridian since 2016.