Barnwell County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Barnwell County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.8, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake 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 | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $999K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.95 / yr | $365K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48K |
| Lightning | Low | 63.00 / yr | $166K |
| Drought | Low | 27.33 / yr | $116K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.77 / yr | $318K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.87 / yr | $43K |
| Hail | Low | 3.11 / yr | $107K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.29 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.21 / yr | $284K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $61 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $9K |
| 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 Barnwell County?
Barnwell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.8 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 Barnwell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $999K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Barnwell County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Barnwell County ranks #37 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. Barnwell County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.