Saluda County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Saluda County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.1, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and ice storm 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 | Low | 0.08 / yr | $726K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.31 / yr | $147K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $437K |
| Hail | Low | 3.79 / yr | $286K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 40.63 / yr | $210K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.08 / yr | $352K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.18 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.26 / yr | $190K |
| Lightning | Low | 56.14 / yr | $111K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.21 / yr | $419K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.00 / yr | $7K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $21 |
| 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 Saluda County?
Saluda County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Saluda County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $726K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $147K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $437K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Saluda County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Saluda County ranks #41 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. Saluda County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.