Oxford, MS
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Oxford is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Lafayette County, MS. The county's highest-rated hazards are earthquake, cold wave, and landslide.
Storm events near Oxford
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Oxford's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Oxford 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 Lafayette County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Oxford along with the rest of the county, not a Oxford-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 48.1 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 47.8 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 88.5 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 80.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 81.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 88.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 31.5 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 43 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 61.1 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 49.5 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 87.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 75.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 54.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 13.7 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Lafayette County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Lafayette County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Oxford, MS at risk of?
Oxford 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 Lafayette County, where Oxford is located, are earthquake, cold wave, and landslide.
What is Oxford's biggest natural hazard risk?
Earthquake is the highest-rated hazard for Lafayette County, where Oxford is located, scoring 88.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Low").
Is Oxford a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Oxford carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Lafayette County.
Has Oxford had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 15 tornado, 57 hail, 21 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Oxford since 2016.