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

Bamberg County Disaster Risk

Bamberg County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

46th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#36

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

21th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bamberg County, South Carolina

Bamberg's risk falls below national norm

Bamberg County scores 46.47 on the composite risk scale with a Relatively Low rating, sitting well below the national average. The county benefits from lower combined exposure to natural disasters compared to most U.S. counties.

Well below South Carolina average

Bamberg's 46.47 composite score is substantially lower than South Carolina's state average of 70.75, placing it among the safer counties statewide. The county's risk profile is notably more favorable than most of its state peers.

Among region's safest counties

Bamberg's 46.47 score rivals nearby Allendale (35.46) for the lowest risk in its immediate area, and significantly beats Aiken (84.22) and Anderson (87.18). The county enjoys one of the better disaster-risk profiles in central South Carolina.

Hurricanes and earthquakes are top concerns

Hurricane risk leads at 89.07 despite the county's overall Relatively Low rating, reflecting coastal-influenced storm exposure even in an inland location. Earthquake risk (79.26) and wildfire risk (55.85) pose secondary threats, while flood (20.64) and tornado (35.50) risks remain substantially lower.

Earthquake and hurricane coverage advised

Purchase separate earthquake insurance to cover seismic damage, which standard policies exclude, given the county's 79.26 earthquake score. Verify your wind and hurricane coverage is adequate for the 89.07 hurricane rating, and consider flood insurance as a secondary precaution.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bamberg County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    79th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    56th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Bamberg County

Risk Verdict

Bamberg County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 46th percentile across all U.S. counties. At the 46th percentile nationally, Bamberg County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Bamberg County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (56th percentile), tornado (35th percentile), flood (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 89th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Bamberg County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 79th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Bamberg County independent of hurricane season. For Bamberg County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Bamberg County is 24.3 composite risk points below the South Carolina state mean, meaning most other South Carolina counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Bamberg 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 Bamberg County, SC?
Bamberg County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 46th 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 Bamberg County?
Bamberg County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (89th percentile), earthquake (79th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile), tornado (35th percentile), flooding (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 89th 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 Bamberg County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Bamberg County's composite risk percentile is 46th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bamberg County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Bamberg County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Bamberg County's hurricane risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bamberg County is at the 21th 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.
Is Bamberg County a safe place to live?
Bamberg County's composite risk score of 46th percentile is below the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 89th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Barnwell County

South Carolina

-0.6

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Abbeville County

South Carolina

-1.1

Relatively Low

45th percentile

Chester County

South Carolina

-3.3

Relatively Low

43th 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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