Kershaw County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
Kershaw County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.7, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hurricane 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
| Strong Wind | High | 5.29 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.19 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.20 / yr | $472K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.05 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $156K |
| Lightning | Medium | 57.79 / yr | $445K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $10M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.37 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.35 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 3.84 / yr | $265K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.32 / yr | $47K |
| Drought | Very Low | 20.15 / yr | $9K |
| 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 Kershaw County?
Kershaw County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kershaw County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $472K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kershaw County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Kershaw County ranks #31 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. Kershaw County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.