Union County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.