Orangeburg County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Orangeburg County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.7, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $44M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $11M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.25 / yr | $15M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.71 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.08 / yr | $481K |
| Lightning | High | 62.87 / yr | $634K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.00 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $261K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.48 / yr | $466K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $11M |
| Drought | Medium | 13.70 / yr | $454K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.76 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 1.37 / yr | $68K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $725 |
| 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 Orangeburg County?
Orangeburg County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Orangeburg County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $11M EAL), Hurricane (High, $15M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Orangeburg County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Orangeburg County ranks #13 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Orangeburg County's $44M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.