Florence County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 90th
Florence County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.6, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $65M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Florence County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 89.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 90th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $23M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.45 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $65M in expected annual loss for a population of 137K.
Beyond physical exposure, Florence County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Florence County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 15 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, Florence County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.26 / yr | $23M |
| Tornado | High | 0.45 / yr | $9M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $7M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.95 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.32 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.79 / yr | $597K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $656K |
| Lightning | High | 58.23 / yr | $770K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $18M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 1.58 / yr | $152K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.09 / yr | $869K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 15.11 / yr | $109K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $496 |
| 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
Florence County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), Tropical Storm (3), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
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 Florence County?
Florence County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 90th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Florence County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $23M EAL), Tornado (High, $9M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Florence County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Florence County ranks #11 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Florence County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Florence County since 1989, most often 15 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. Florence County's $65M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.