Bamberg County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Bamberg County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.5, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Bamberg County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 46.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.42 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $973K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bamberg 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 federal record bears this out: Bamberg County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 13 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Bamberg County ranks #36 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.42 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $973K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.59 / yr | $451K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.97 / yr | $77K |
| Drought | Low | 22.05 / yr | $141K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.21 / yr | $242K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.26 / yr | $436K |
| Lightning | Low | 63.24 / yr | $81K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $11K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $93K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $17 |
| 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
Bamberg County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (13), Tropical Storm (3), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bamberg County?
Bamberg County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bamberg County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $973K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bamberg County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Bamberg County ranks #36 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bamberg County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Bamberg County since 1977, most often 13 for hurricane events and 3 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. Bamberg County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.