Hampton County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Hampton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.8, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hampton County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 64.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 65th 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.
Most of Hampton County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $739K in expected annual loss and about 8.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hampton County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Hampton County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 13 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, Hampton County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $8M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.00 / yr | $739K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $120K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.80 / yr | $568K |
| Drought | Medium | 25.53 / yr | $279K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.88 / yr | $107K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.30 / yr | $600K |
| Lightning | Low | 65.53 / yr | $99K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.63 / yr | $311K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.97 / yr | $85K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $841 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $7K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $13 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Hampton County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (13), Tropical Storm (3), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| 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 |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hampton County?
Hampton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hampton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $8M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $739K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hampton County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Hampton County ranks #32 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hampton County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Hampton County since 1977, most often 13 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. Hampton County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.