Barnwell County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Barnwell County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 45.8 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.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.18 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $999K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.35 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Barnwell County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Barnwell County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 13 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Barnwell County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Barnwell County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (13), Severe Storm (4), Tropical Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 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 |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Barnwell County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Barnwell County since 1977, most often 13 for hurricane events and 4 for severe 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. Barnwell County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.