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

Greenwood County Disaster Risk

Greenwood County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

73th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#28

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 54% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Greenwood County, South Carolina

Greenwood faces moderate disaster risk

Greenwood County scores 72.74 on the composite risk scale, slightly exceeding South Carolina's state average of 70.75 and positioning itself in the relatively low risk category. This moderate profile reflects the county's mix of upland and low-lying terrain across the piedmont region.

Greenwood ranks in the state's middle tier

With a composite score of 72.74, Greenwood ranks near the state average but substantially below the state's highest-risk coastal and urban counties. The county represents a moderate-risk profile typical of inland piedmont areas.

Greenwood falls between peers in risk

Greenwood's 72.74 score positions it well below Dillon County (84.32), Florence County (89.57), and Greenville County (93.96), but significantly above the safest counties like Edgefield (21.98) and Fairfield (40.81). It occupies a middle ground among South Carolina's diverse county risk profiles.

Tornadoes present the greatest threat

Tornado risk at 85.59 is Greenwood's most significant hazard, while earthquake risk (84.00) and hurricane risk (75.59) pose moderate but meaningful threats. Flood risk (66.22) and wildfire risk (54.36) remain below state averages due to the county's upland positioning.

Balanced coverage strategy recommended

Greenwood residents should prioritize windstorm coverage for tornado and hurricane protection, while flood insurance remains optional due to lower flood exposure. A reinforced safe room and standard homeowners policy provide practical, affordable protection for this moderate-risk county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Greenwood County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    84th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    76th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Greenwood County

Risk Verdict

Greenwood County ranks at the 73th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Greenwood County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (76th percentile), flood (66th percentile), wildfire (54th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Greenwood County ranks at the 86th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Greenwood County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Greenwood County at the 84th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. Greenwood County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

The county's composite score diverges by only 2.0 points from the South Carolina average, making Greenwood County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Greenwood 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 Greenwood County, SC?
Greenwood County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 73th 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 Greenwood County?
Greenwood County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (86th percentile), earthquake (84th percentile), hurricane (76th percentile), flooding (66th percentile), wildfire (54th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 86th 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 Greenwood County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Greenwood County's composite risk percentile is 73th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Greenwood County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Greenwood County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Greenwood County's tornado risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Greenwood County is at the 66th 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 Greenwood County higher risk than average?
Greenwood County's composite risk score of 73th percentile is above the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (86th percentile), along with earthquake and hurricane 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

Darlington County

South Carolina

-0.5

Relatively Low

72th percentile

Chesterfield County

South Carolina

+1.2

Relatively Low

74th percentile

Cherokee County

South Carolina

-3.1

Relatively Low

70th 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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