Pickens County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
Pickens County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 77.6, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pickens County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 77.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 78th 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.67 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 61.64 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $23M in expected annual loss and about 0.96 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $37M in expected annual loss for a population of 131K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pickens County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pickens County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 11 for hurricane events and 3 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in April 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Pickens County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.67 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 61.64 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.96 / yr | $23M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.34 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.98 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.25 / yr | $15K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $615K |
| Hail | Low | 4.54 / yr | $470K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.18 / yr | $587K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| Drought | Low | 40.96 / yr | $54K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.84 / yr | $18K |
| 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
Pickens County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Fire (3), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2025 | Fire | Table Rock Fire |
| March 2025 | Fire | Table Rock Fire Complex |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pickens County?
Pickens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 77.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pickens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $23M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pickens County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Pickens County ranks #24 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pickens County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Pickens County since 1977, most often 11 for hurricane events and 3 for fire 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. Pickens County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.