Pickens County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
Pickens County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 77.6, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.67 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 61.64 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.96 / yr | $23M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.34 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.98 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.25 / yr | $15K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $615K |
| Hail | Low | 4.54 / yr | $470K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.18 / yr | $587K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| Drought | Low | 40.96 / yr | $54K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.84 / yr | $18K |
| 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 Pickens County?
Pickens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 77.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pickens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $23M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pickens County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Pickens County ranks #24 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. Pickens County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.