Chesterfield County

South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

74.0

National percentile: 74th

Chesterfield County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.0, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $22M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 43K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hurricane
Medium $6M/yr
Strong Wind
High $1M/yr
Tornado
Medium $4M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hurricane Medium 0.19 / yr $6M
Strong Wind High 4.35 / yr $1M
Tornado Medium 0.45 / yr $4M
Ice Storm High 0.79 / yr $344K
Lightning High 55.92 / yr $561K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $953K
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $211K
Riverine Flood Low 0.75 / yr $8M
Hail Low 3.72 / yr $310K
Heat Wave Low 3.90 / yr $369K
Cold Wave Low 0.42 / yr $893K
Landslide Very Low 0.28 / yr $1K
Drought Low 21.35 / yr $139K
Winter Weather Low 2.63 / yr $39K
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 Chesterfield County?

Chesterfield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Chesterfield County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $6M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Chesterfield County compare to other South Carolina counties?

Chesterfield County ranks #27 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Chesterfield County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.