Spartanburg County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Spartanburg County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.6, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $89M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.93 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Very High | 53.85 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.26 / yr | $10M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.79 / yr | $53M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $7M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.51 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.14 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 1.40 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.87 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.71 / yr | $5K |
| Drought | Low | 40.69 / yr | $294K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.39 / yr | $92K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $81K |
| 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 Spartanburg County?
Spartanburg County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Spartanburg County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $4M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Spartanburg County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Spartanburg County ranks #10 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. Spartanburg County's $89M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.