DeSoto County is the northernmost Mississippi county bordering Memphis Tennessee and Shelby County Tennessee. The county sits directly on the New Madrid Seismic Zone — a major earthquake would cause catastrophic damage across the region. Multiple tornadoes have struck DeSoto County. The county has been one of the fastest growing in Mississippi as Memphis suburbs expand south. The Wolf and Coldwater Rivers create flooding risk.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 6 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Tornado / Flash Flooding |
| Secondary Hazard | New Madrid Earthquake |
| FEMA Flood Zone | High |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 7 |
| Last Major Event | 2023 Tornado |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (662) 469-8050 |
| Emergency Shelters | 8 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-55 I-269 MS-302 US-51 |
// County Profile
| County | DeSoto County MS |
| State | Mississippi (MS) |
| Population | 183 |
| Area | 477 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | High |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other Mississippi Counties
Harrison County MS
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Jackson County MS
Hurricane / Storm Surge
8/10
High
Bolivar County MS
Tornado / Mississippi River Flooding
7/10
Moderate
Yazoo County MS
Tornado / Mississippi River Flooding
7/10
Moderate
Quitman County MS
Tornado / Mississippi River Flooding
7/10
Moderate
Tunica County MS
Tornado / Mississippi River Flooding
7/10
Moderate