riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Aiken County Disaster Risk

Aiken County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

84th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

84th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Aiken County, South Carolina

Aiken faces moderate-to-high national risk

Aiken County's composite risk score of 84.22 earns a Relatively Moderate rating, placing it well above the national average and among the higher-risk counties nationwide. The county contends with significant combined exposure to multiple hazards across nearly all disaster types.

Well above South Carolina average

At 84.22, Aiken's composite risk far exceeds South Carolina's state average of 70.75, making it one of the riskier counties in the state. The county's elevated scores span earthquakes (88.87), hurricanes (90.11), and tornadoes (87.44).

Significantly riskier than most peers

Aiken's 84.22 score surpasses neighboring Barnwell (45.83) and Abbeville (45.36) by a substantial margin. Only Richland and certain coastal counties in the state register comparable or higher risk levels.

Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes dominate

Earthquakes (88.87) and hurricanes (90.11) pose the most serious threats, followed closely by tornado risk at 87.44. Flood risk at 84.45 and wildfire risk at 82.22 round out a comprehensive hazard profile that touches nearly every disaster type.

Comprehensive insurance essential for Aiken

Purchase a separate earthquake insurance policy immediately—your standard homeowners policy will not cover seismic damage, yet Aiken's 88.87 earthquake score reflects real exposure. Add flood insurance and ensure your wind/hurricane coverage is adequate for the county's 90.11 hurricane risk rating.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Aiken County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    89th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    87th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Aiken County

Risk Verdict

Aiken County faces a moderate natural disaster risk profile, ranking at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's composite risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Aiken County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 89th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (87th percentile), flood (84th percentile), wildfire (82th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Aiken County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 90th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 89th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Aiken County independent of hurricane season. Aiken County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

Aiken County's composite risk score sits 13.5 points above the South Carolina county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Aiken County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Aiken County, SC?
Aiken County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 84th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Aiken County?
Aiken County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (90th percentile), earthquake (89th percentile), tornado (87th percentile), flooding (84th percentile), wildfire (82th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 90th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Aiken County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Aiken County's composite risk percentile is 84th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Aiken County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Aiken County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Aiken County's hurricane risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Aiken County is at the 84th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Aiken County higher risk than average?
Aiken County's composite risk score of 84th percentile is above the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (90th percentile), along with earthquake and tornado and flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Dillon County

South Carolina

+0.1

Relatively Moderate

84th percentile

Colleton County

South Carolina

+1.2

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

Oconee County

South Carolina

+1.4

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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