Starkville, MS
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Starkville is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Oktibbeha County, MS. The county's highest-rated hazards are earthquake, tornado, and heat wave.
Storm events near Starkville
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Starkville's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Starkville 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 Oktibbeha County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Starkville along with the rest of the county, not a Starkville-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 37.7 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 53.2 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 85.1 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 81.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 83.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 79.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 53.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 77.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 69.2 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 70.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 46.5 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 73.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 62.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 64.4 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Oktibbeha County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Oktibbeha County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Starkville, MS at risk of?
Starkville 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 Oktibbeha County, where Starkville is located, are earthquake, tornado, and heat wave.
What is Starkville's biggest natural hazard risk?
Earthquake is the highest-rated hazard for Oktibbeha County, where Starkville is located, scoring 85.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Low").
Is Starkville a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Starkville carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Oktibbeha County.
Has Starkville had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 36 tornado, 44 hail, 87 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Starkville since 2016.