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

Berkeley County Disaster Risk

Berkeley County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

95th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

81th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Berkeley County, South Carolina

Berkeley faces very high national risk

Berkeley County scores 94.82 on the composite risk scale with a Relatively High rating, placing it among the most disaster-prone counties in the United States. The county contends with substantial combined exposure across multiple major hazard types.

Second-highest risk in South Carolina

At 94.82, Berkeley's composite score far exceeds South Carolina's state average of 70.75, making it the second-riskiest county in the state behind only Beaufort (97.11). The county's risk profile rivals some of the nation's most hazardous regions.

Only Beaufort poses greater risk nearby

Berkeley's 94.82 score trails only Beaufort County (97.11) in the coastal region, making it the second-most hazardous community in its immediate area. The county faces dramatically higher risk than inland South Carolina counties.

Earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods dominate

Earthquake risk registers extraordinarily high at 97.74, the highest such rating in South Carolina, followed by hurricane risk (98.33) and flood risk (80.66). Wildfire risk (89.82) and tornado risk (78.09) further compound Berkeley's comprehensive disaster exposure.

All specialized insurance policies essential

Obtain both flood insurance and a dedicated earthquake policy immediately—Berkeley's 97.74 earthquake score and 80.66 flood risk demand coverage that standard policies exclude, and these are your two greatest threats. Maximize your hurricane wind coverage given the county's 98.33 hurricane rating, the second-highest in South Carolina.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Berkeley County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    98th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    90th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Berkeley County

Risk Verdict

With a national rank of 95th percentile, Berkeley County faces above-average natural disaster pressure across several hazard categories. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Berkeley County.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Berkeley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 98th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (90th percentile), flood (81th percentile), tornado (78th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Berkeley County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 98th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 98th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Berkeley County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Berkeley County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Berkeley County falls 24.1 points above South Carolina's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Berkeley 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 Berkeley County, SC?
Berkeley County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 95th 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 Berkeley County?
Berkeley County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (98th percentile), earthquake (98th percentile), wildfire (90th percentile), flooding (81th percentile), tornado (78th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 98th 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 Berkeley County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Berkeley County's composite risk percentile is 95th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Berkeley County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Berkeley County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Berkeley County's hurricane risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Berkeley County is at the 81th 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 Berkeley County higher risk than average?
Berkeley County's composite risk score of 95th percentile is above the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (98th percentile), along with earthquake and wildfire and flooding and tornado 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

Greenville County

South Carolina

-0.9

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

Dorchester County

South Carolina

-1.1

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

Richland County

South Carolina

-1.7

Relatively Moderate

93th 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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