Fairfield County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Fairfield County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.8, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.88 / yr | $475K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.14 / yr | $684K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $504K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.89 / yr | $587K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.33 / yr | $1K |
| Lightning | Low | 55.19 / yr | $175K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.33 / yr | $364K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.14 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.32 / yr | $329K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.29 / yr | $87K |
| Drought | Very Low | 25.00 / yr | $12K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.32 / yr | $12K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Fairfield County?
Fairfield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fairfield County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $475K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $684K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fairfield County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Fairfield County ranks #40 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low 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. Fairfield County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.