Chesterfield County Disaster Risk
Chesterfield County, South Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
74th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#27
of 46 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
66th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Chesterfield County, South Carolina
Chesterfield faces above-average national disaster risk
Chesterfield County's composite risk score of 73.98 places it in the Relatively Low category but above the national average, indicating moderate-to-elevated exposure to natural disasters. The county scores highest on tornado (84.73), earthquake (78.05), wildfire (76.75), and hurricane (91.03) hazards, suggesting meaningful risk across multiple disaster types. This profile positions Chesterfield as a county requiring attentive disaster preparedness.
Chesterfield ranks above state average risk
Chesterfield County's composite score of 73.98 exceeds South Carolina's 70.75 state average, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties despite its Relatively Low rating. The county's tornado (84.73) and hurricane (91.03) scores particularly elevate its overall profile compared to peers. This positioning reflects Chesterfield's exposure to Atlantic hurricane tracks and spring severe weather systems.
Chesterfield higher risk than nearby Chester County
Chesterfield County's 73.98 score significantly exceeds Chester County's 43.16, making Chesterfield substantially more exposed to natural disasters despite their geographic proximity. This difference primarily reflects Chesterfield's higher tornado (84.73 vs 74.49) and hurricane (91.03 vs 63.87) risks compared to Chester. The gap illustrates how small geographic variations create meaningful differences in disaster exposure.
Tornadoes and hurricanes pose primary threats
Chesterfield County faces elevated tornado risk (84.73) and hurricane risk (91.03), making severe weather the county's dominant disaster concern with significant wind damage potential. Earthquake (78.05) and wildfire (76.75) risks also score substantially above many county averages, while flood risk (65.84) remains moderate. The combination of spring tornado season and Atlantic hurricane exposure creates compound seasonal risk periods.
Comprehensive wind coverage is non-negotiable
Chesterfield homeowners must prioritize robust wind and hail coverage in their homeowners policies given tornado (84.73) and hurricane (91.03) exposures—review deductibles to ensure affordability of likely storm repairs. Earthquake insurance deserves consideration given the 78.05 score, and wildfire coverage may apply if your property is near forested areas. Annual policy reviews are essential as hurricane seasons intensify and storm patterns evolve.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Chesterfield County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Chesterfield County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 74th, Chesterfield County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Chesterfield County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (78th percentile), wildfire (77th percentile), flood (66th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 91th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Chesterfield County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Chesterfield County's tornado exposure at the 85th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Chesterfield County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.
Regional Context
Chesterfield County tracks the South Carolina county average closely, sitting 3.2 composite points above the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within South Carolina.
Is your household prepared for Chesterfield County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Chesterfield County, SC?
What types of natural hazards affect Chesterfield County?
How does Chesterfield County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Is Chesterfield County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Chesterfield County higher risk than average?
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.