Lee County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Lee County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.0, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.25 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $620K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.26 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.24 / yr | $481K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48K |
| Drought | Low | 16.00 / yr | $89K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.32 / yr | $212K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.61 / yr | $45K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.42 / yr | $516K |
| Lightning | Low | 58.46 / yr | $123K |
| Hail | Low | 3.60 / yr | $101K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.89 / yr | $11K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $28 |
| 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 Lee County?
Lee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 36th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $620K EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lee County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Lee County ranks #42 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Lee County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.