Marlboro County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Marlboro County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.5, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Marlboro County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 57.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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 Marlboro County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $698K in expected annual loss and about 0.83 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.25 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marlboro 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Marlboro County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1984, including 15 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Marlboro County ranks #35 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.83 / yr | $698K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.25 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $133K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $557K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.59 / yr | $562K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.74 / yr | $392K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $772K |
| Lightning | Medium | 56.30 / yr | $180K |
| Drought | Low | 19.62 / yr | $91K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.47 / yr | $31K |
| Hail | Low | 3.52 / yr | $110K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.25 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $56 |
| 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
Marlboro County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1984, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), Severe Storm (3), Tropical Storm (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 |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Marlboro County?
Marlboro County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marlboro County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $698K EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marlboro County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Marlboro County ranks #35 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marlboro County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Marlboro County since 1984, most often 15 for hurricane events and 3 for severe 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. Marlboro County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.