Oconee County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
Oconee County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.6, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $45M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.42 / yr | $20M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.44 / yr | $791K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.73 / yr | $25K |
| Lightning | High | 61.13 / yr | $665K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $16M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.34 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.35 / yr | $640K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $601K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.16 / yr | $726K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.88 / yr | $587K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $84K |
| Drought | Low | 41.73 / yr | $85K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.95 / yr | $17K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Oconee County?
Oconee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 86th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Oconee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $20M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $791K EAL), Landslide (Low, $25K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Oconee County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Oconee County ranks #15 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Oconee County's $45M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.