Greenwood County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Greenwood County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.7, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $27M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Greenwood County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 72.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $881K in expected annual loss and about 1.44 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $27M in expected annual loss for a population of 69K.
Beyond physical exposure, Greenwood County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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 federal record bears this out: Greenwood County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 10 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, Greenwood County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.21 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.44 / yr | $881K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $924K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.26 / yr | $821K |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.85 / yr | $378K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | Low | 4.06 / yr | $403K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.02 / yr | $476K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.30 / yr | $441 |
| Drought | Low | 48.32 / yr | $32K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.79 / yr | $17K |
| 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
Greenwood County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (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 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Greenwood County?
Greenwood County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Greenwood County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $7M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $881K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Greenwood County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Greenwood County ranks #28 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Greenwood County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Greenwood County since 1977, most often 10 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. Greenwood County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.