McCormick County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
McCormick County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.5, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in McCormick County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 9.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $158K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $79K in expected annual loss and about 1.11 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $177K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, McCormick 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: McCormick County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 10 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, McCormick County ranks #46 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $158K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.11 / yr | $79K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $177K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $519K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.32 / yr | $101K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.38 / yr | $226 |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.50 / yr | $76K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.21 / yr | $263K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.71 / yr | $139K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 55.93 / yr | $46K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.89 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 63.36 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
McCormick County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), 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 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for McCormick County?
McCormick County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McCormick County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $158K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $79K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $177K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McCormick County compare to other South Carolina counties?
McCormick County ranks #46 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has McCormick County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for McCormick County since 1977, most often 10 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. McCormick County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.