An Act of God is a natural force outside of human control (such as an earthquake, tsunami, or hurricane), and may relieve a party or parties to a contract or agreement from having to perform their obligations. Such Acts of God are often addressed in a force majeure clause, which typically appears near the end of the contract or agreement. A force majeure clause may also excuse a party's performance of its obligations for other reasons beyond its control, such as unavailability of products, riots, civil unrest, pandemics, and terrorism.

In Mississippi, an 'Act of God' refers to unforeseen natural events that are beyond human control and can potentially relieve parties from their contractual obligations. This concept is often encapsulated in a force majeure clause within contracts. Mississippi law recognizes force majeure clauses, which are designed to outline the circumstances under which parties may be excused from performing their contractual duties due to events that are outside their control, such as natural disasters, pandemics, or civil unrest. The specific application of a force majeure clause depends on the language of the contract. Mississippi courts typically interpret these clauses narrowly, focusing on the events listed in the clause. If an event is not explicitly covered by the force majeure clause, a party may still seek relief under the doctrine of impossibility or impracticability of performance, provided that the event was unforeseeable and has rendered the performance of the contract objectively impossible or impracticable.