Kershaw County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
Kershaw County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.7, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kershaw County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 66.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 67th 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 Kershaw County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.29 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.19 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $472K in expected annual loss and about 1.20 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 65K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kershaw County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Kershaw County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 15 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, Kershaw County ranks #31 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.29 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.19 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.20 / yr | $472K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.05 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $156K |
| Lightning | Medium | 57.79 / yr | $445K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $10M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.37 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.35 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 3.84 / yr | $265K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.32 / yr | $47K |
| Drought | Very Low | 20.15 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Kershaw County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), 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 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kershaw County?
Kershaw County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kershaw County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $472K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kershaw County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Kershaw County ranks #31 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kershaw County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Kershaw County since 1977, most often 15 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. Kershaw County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.