Clarendon County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Clarendon County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.5, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.29 / yr | $11M |
| Lightning | High | 60.78 / yr | $992K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.00 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $294K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.82 / yr | $118K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.90 / yr | $509K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.48 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 3.82 / yr | $230K |
| Drought | Low | 11.45 / yr | $100K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.32 / yr | $491K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.37 / yr | $25K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $98 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / 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 Clarendon County?
Clarendon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clarendon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $11M EAL), Lightning (High, $992K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clarendon County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Clarendon County ranks #25 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. Clarendon County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.