Newberry County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
Newberry County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.0, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Newberry County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 62.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 62nd 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 Newberry County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $621K in expected annual loss and about 1.80 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 38K.
Beyond physical exposure, Newberry County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Newberry County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 11 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, Newberry County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.80 / yr | $621K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.11 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.26 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 54.77 / yr | $300K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.25 / yr | $8M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.84 / yr | $391K |
| Hail | Low | 4.56 / yr | $257K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $45K |
| Drought | Low | 36.57 / yr | $69K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.13 / yr | $330K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.52 / yr | $462 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.32 / yr | $15K |
| 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
Newberry County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Severe Storm (3), Tropical Storm (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 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Newberry County?
Newberry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Newberry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $621K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Newberry County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Newberry County ranks #33 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Newberry County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Newberry County since 1977, most often 11 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. Newberry County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.