Colleton County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.