Lee County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Lee County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.0, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lee County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 36.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 36th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.25 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $620K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lee County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Lee County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 14 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, Lee County ranks #42 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.25 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $620K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.26 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.24 / yr | $481K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48K |
| Drought | Low | 16.00 / yr | $89K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.32 / yr | $212K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.61 / yr | $45K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.42 / yr | $516K |
| Lightning | Low | 58.46 / yr | $123K |
| Hail | Low | 3.60 / yr | $101K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.89 / yr | $11K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $28 |
| 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
Lee County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (14), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
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 Lee County?
Lee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 36th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $620K EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lee County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Lee County ranks #42 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lee County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Lee County since 1989, most often 14 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. Lee County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.