Tupelo, MS
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Tupelo 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 Lee County, MS. The county's highest-rated hazards are earthquake, cold wave, and heat wave.
Storm events near Tupelo
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Tupelo's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Tupelo 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 Lee County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Tupelo along with the rest of the county, not a Tupelo-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 36.6 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 72 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 93.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 88.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 86.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 92.9 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 56.6 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 65.5 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 68.8 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 71.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 68 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 87.9 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 65.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 33.4 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Lee County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Lee County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Tupelo, MS at risk of?
Tupelo 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 Lee County, where Tupelo is located, are earthquake, cold wave, and heat wave.
What is Tupelo's biggest natural hazard risk?
Earthquake is the highest-rated hazard for Lee County, where Tupelo is located, scoring 93.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Tupelo a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Tupelo 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 Lee County.
Has Tupelo had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 47 tornado, 137 hail, 69 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Tupelo since 2016.