Calhoun County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Calhoun County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.6, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Calhoun County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 22.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Calhoun County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.22 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $728K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $217K in expected annual loss and about 14.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Calhoun County has a 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: Calhoun County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 16 for hurricane events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Calhoun County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.22 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $728K |
| Drought | Low | 14.07 / yr | $217K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.24 / yr | $97K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.68 / yr | $340K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.84 / yr | $192K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.29 / yr | $599K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $311 |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.80 / yr | $84K |
| Lightning | Low | 61.36 / yr | $72K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $207K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.47 / yr | $10K |
| 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
Calhoun County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (16), Flood (3), Severe Ice 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 | 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Calhoun County?
Calhoun County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Calhoun County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $728K EAL), Drought (Low, $217K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Calhoun County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Calhoun County ranks #44 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Calhoun County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Calhoun County since 1977, most often 16 for hurricane events and 3 for flood 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. Calhoun County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.