Jasper County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 79th
Jasper County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.6, 79th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Jasper County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 78.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 79th 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 Jasper County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $22M in expected annual loss and about 0.33 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $223K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jasper County has a 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: Jasper County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1977, 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, Jasper County ranks #23 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.33 / yr | $22M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $223K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.61 / yr | $715K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.63 / yr | $301K |
| Lightning | Low | 66.21 / yr | $197K |
| Drought | Low | 24.52 / yr | $87K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.29 / yr | $517K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.45 / yr | $96K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.62 / yr | $26K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.54 / yr | $322K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.80 / yr | $217K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.83 / yr | $13K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $10 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Jasper County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), Tropical Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jasper County?
Jasper County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 79th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jasper County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $22M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $223K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jasper County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Jasper County ranks #23 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jasper County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Jasper County since 1977, 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. Jasper County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.