Darlington County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Darlington County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.3, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.22 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.54 / yr | $998K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.05 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $203K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $170K |
| Hail | Low | 3.57 / yr | $419K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 57.55 / yr | $351K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.21 / yr | $88K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $8M |
| Drought | Low | 17.74 / yr | $141K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $230 |
| 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 Darlington County?
Darlington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Darlington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Darlington County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Darlington County ranks #29 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. Darlington County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.