Darlington County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Darlington County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.3, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Darlington County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 72.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 72nd 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 Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.22 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M 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 — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 63K.
Beyond physical exposure, Darlington County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Darlington County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 15 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Darlington County ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.22 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.54 / yr | $998K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.05 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $203K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $170K |
| Hail | Low | 3.57 / yr | $419K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 57.55 / yr | $351K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.21 / yr | $88K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $8M |
| Drought | Low | 17.74 / yr | $141K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $230 |
| 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
Darlington County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (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 Darlington County?
Darlington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Darlington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Darlington County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Darlington County ranks #29 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Darlington County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Darlington County since 1989, most often 15 for hurricane events and 2 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. Darlington County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.