Saluda County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Saluda County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.1, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Saluda County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 40.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $726K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $147K in expected annual loss and about 1.31 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $437K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Saluda County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low 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 federal record bears this out: Saluda County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 10 for hurricane events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Saluda County ranks #41 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $726K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.31 / yr | $147K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $437K |
| Hail | Low | 3.79 / yr | $286K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 40.63 / yr | $210K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.08 / yr | $352K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.18 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.26 / yr | $190K |
| Lightning | Low | 56.14 / yr | $111K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.21 / yr | $419K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.00 / yr | $7K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $21 |
| 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
Saluda County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Severe Ice 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 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Saluda County?
Saluda County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Saluda County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $726K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $147K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $437K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Saluda County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Saluda County ranks #41 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Saluda County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Saluda County since 1977, most often 10 for hurricane events and 3 for severe ice 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. Saluda County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.