Clarendon County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Clarendon County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.5, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Clarendon County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 76.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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 High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.29 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $992K in expected annual loss and about 60.78 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clarendon 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.
History supports the rating: Clarendon County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 15 for hurricane events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Clarendon County ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.29 / yr | $11M |
| Lightning | High | 60.78 / yr | $992K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.00 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $294K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.82 / yr | $118K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.90 / yr | $509K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.48 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 3.82 / yr | $230K |
| Drought | Low | 11.45 / yr | $100K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.32 / yr | $491K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.37 / yr | $25K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $98 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Clarendon County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), Severe Ice Storm (3), Tropical Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clarendon County?
Clarendon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clarendon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $11M EAL), Lightning (High, $992K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clarendon County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Clarendon County ranks #25 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clarendon County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Clarendon County since 1989, most often 15 for hurricane events and 3 for severe ice 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. Clarendon County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.