Colleton County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Colleton County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.5, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $38M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Colleton County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 85.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 — $20M in expected annual loss and about 0.30 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $369K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $38M in expected annual loss for a population of 39K.
Beyond physical exposure, Colleton County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Colleton County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 16 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, Colleton County ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.30 / yr | $20M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $7M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $369K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.59 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.12 / yr | $739K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.62 / yr | $613K |
| Lightning | Medium | 65.88 / yr | $257K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.97 / yr | $101K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.59 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.68 / yr | $657K |
| Drought | Low | 21.96 / yr | $93K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.07 / yr | $40K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.93 / yr | $86K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $73 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Colleton County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (16), Tropical Storm (3), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 Colleton County?
Colleton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Colleton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $20M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $7M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $369K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Colleton County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Colleton County ranks #16 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Colleton County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Colleton County since 1989, most often 16 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. Colleton County's $38M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.