Edgefield County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 22th
Edgefield County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.0, 22th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Edgefield County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 22.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 22nd 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 Edgefield County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $504K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $190K in expected annual loss and about 1.19 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $619K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Edgefield County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Edgefield County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 10 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, Edgefield County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $504K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.19 / yr | $190K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $619K |
| Drought | Low | 47.45 / yr | $319K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $65K |
| Lightning | Low | 57.96 / yr | $207K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.53 / yr | $246K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.79 / yr | $406K |
| Hail | Low | 3.45 / yr | $137K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.44 / yr | $375 |
| Tornado | Low | 0.34 / yr | $568K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.21 / yr | $306K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.89 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Edgefield County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Severe Ice Storm (3), Tropical Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Edgefield County?
Edgefield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 22th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Edgefield County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $504K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $190K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $619K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Edgefield County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Edgefield County ranks #45 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Edgefield County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Edgefield County since 1977, most often 10 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. Edgefield County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.