York County
South Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 89th
York County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.7, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $99M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 2.19 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | High | 0.42 / yr | $23M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.36 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | High | 52.68 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.14 / yr | $51M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.89 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.71 / yr | $7K |
| Drought | Medium | 26.61 / yr | $599K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 4.21 / yr | $144K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $145K |
| Hail | Low | 5.02 / yr | $529K |
| 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 York County?
York County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 89th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in York County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $4M EAL), Tornado (High, $23M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does York County compare to other South Carolina counties?
York County ranks #12 of 46 South Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. York County's $99M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.