Oconee County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
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
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Oconee County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 85.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 86th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Oconee County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $20M in expected annual loss and about 0.42 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $791K in expected annual loss and about 1.44 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $25K in expected annual loss and about 1.73 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $45M in expected annual loss for a population of 79K.
Beyond physical exposure, Oconee 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: Oconee 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 April 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Oconee County ranks #15 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Oconee County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Severe Storm (3), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
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 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.
How many federally declared disasters has Oconee County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Oconee County since 1977, most often 11 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in April 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. Oconee County's $45M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.