Petal, MS
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Petal is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Forrest County, MS. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, strong wind, and hurricane.
Storm events near Petal
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Petal's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Petal 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 Forrest County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Petal along with the rest of the county, not a Petal-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 81.7 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 69.6 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 68.5 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 83.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 92.7 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 43.1 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 42.2 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 78 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 90.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 62.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 52 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 90.1 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 91.5 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 61.5 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Forrest County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Forrest County:
More on Forrest County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Petal, MS at risk of?
Petal 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 Forrest County, where Petal is located, are tornado, strong wind, and hurricane.
What is Petal's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Forrest County, where Petal is located, scoring 92.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Petal a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Petal carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Forrest County.
Has Petal had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 38 tornado, 67 hail, 171 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Petal since 2016.