Laurens County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Laurens County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.2, 76th 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
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.21 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.78 / yr | $777K |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.99 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.07 / yr | $582K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $954K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.70 / yr | $821K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $11M |
| Hail | Low | 4.67 / yr | $388K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.81 / yr | $1K |
| Drought | Low | 41.39 / yr | $113K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $34K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.39 / yr | $33K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Laurens County?
Laurens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Laurens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $8M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $777K EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Laurens County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Laurens County ranks #26 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Laurens County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.