McCormick County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.