riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

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 Advisory: Berkeley County

Risk Verdict

Berkeley County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Berkeley County, scoring in the 98th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 98th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (90th), flood (81th), tornado (78th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Berkeley County residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Berkeley County is significantly riskier than the average county in South Carolina. Its composite risk score is 24.1 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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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 Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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