Abbeville County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Abbeville County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.4, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Abbeville County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 45.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 45th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Abbeville County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $396K in expected annual loss and about 1.50 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $821K in expected annual loss and about 3.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 24K.
Beyond physical exposure, Abbeville County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Abbeville County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 10 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Abbeville County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.50 / yr | $396K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.26 / yr | $821K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $786K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.33 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $233K |
| Hail | Low | 4.17 / yr | $174K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.47 / yr | $319K |
| Lightning | Low | 53.63 / yr | $116K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.56 / yr | $378 |
| Drought | Low | 54.97 / yr | $31K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.74 / yr | $4K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Abbeville County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| August 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| November 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| September 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Abbeville County?
Abbeville County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Abbeville County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $396K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $821K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Abbeville County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Abbeville County ranks #38 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Abbeville County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Abbeville County since 1977, most often 10 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
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. Abbeville County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.