Greenwood County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Greenwood County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.7, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $27M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.21 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.44 / yr | $881K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $924K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.26 / yr | $821K |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.85 / yr | $378K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | Low | 4.06 / yr | $403K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.02 / yr | $476K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.30 / yr | $441 |
| Drought | Low | 48.32 / yr | $32K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.79 / yr | $17K |
| 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 Greenwood County?
Greenwood County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Greenwood County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $7M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $881K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Greenwood County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Greenwood County ranks #28 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. Greenwood County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.