Anderson County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Anderson County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.2, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $67M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.21 / yr | $13M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.67 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 55.61 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 0.44 / yr | $8M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.50 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.54 / yr | $33M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.44 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.85 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.59 / yr | $3K |
| Drought | Low | 44.02 / yr | $153K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.32 / yr | $40K |
| 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 Anderson County?
Anderson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Anderson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $13M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Lightning (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Anderson County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Anderson County ranks #14 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. Anderson County's $67M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.