Union County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
Union County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.2, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Union County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 58.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 58th 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 Union County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $492K in expected annual loss and about 1.99 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $556K in expected annual loss and about 52.85 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, Union County has a very 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 federal record bears this out: Union County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 10 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, Union County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.99 / yr | $492K |
| Lightning | High | 52.85 / yr | $556K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.37 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $668K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $415K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.68 / yr | $587K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.24 / yr | $518K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.99 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $36K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Low | 5.47 / yr | $173K |
| Drought | Very Low | 33.80 / yr | $11K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.47 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Union County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Tropical Storm (3), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Union County?
Union County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Union County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $492K EAL), Lightning (High, $556K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Union County compare to other South Carolina counties?
Union County ranks #34 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Union County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Union County since 1977, most often 10 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical 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. Union County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.