York County, South Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SC
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
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates York County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 88.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 89th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of York County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 2.19 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $23M in expected annual loss and about 0.42 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 3.36 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $99M in expected annual loss for a population of 282K.
Beyond physical exposure, York County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: York County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 12 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 46 South Carolina counties, York County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
York County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (12), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (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 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.
How many federally declared disasters has York County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for York County since 1977, most often 12 for hurricane events and 2 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. York County's $99M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.