Marion County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Marion County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.7, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and cold wave 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
| Hurricane | High | 0.27 / yr | $13M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.47 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.76 / yr | $159K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $99K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.11 / yr | $501K |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.22 / yr | $279K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.55 / yr | $479K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.64 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Low | 3.14 / yr | $182K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.58 / yr | $33K |
| Drought | Low | 15.00 / yr | $29K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14 |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $30 |
| Avalanche | 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 Marion County?
Marion County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marion County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $13M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marion County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Marion County ranks #21 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. Marion County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.