Aiken County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Aiken County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.2, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $48M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.16 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 61.37 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.14 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.63 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $23M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $466K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.45 / yr | $16K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.19 / yr | $591K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.94 / yr | $943K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 30.88 / yr | $236K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.58 / yr | $64K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Aiken County?
Aiken County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Aiken County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Aiken County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Aiken County ranks #18 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Aiken County's $48M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.