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

Hampton County Disaster Risk

Hampton County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

65th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#32

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

35th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hampton County, South Carolina

Hampton's risk ranks below national average

With a composite risk score of 64.79, Hampton County scores well below the national baseline and carries a Relatively Low risk rating. This means your home faces fewer natural disaster threats than most American counties.

Safest county in South Carolina

Hampton County ranks as South Carolina's lowest-risk county, with a score 5.96 points below the state average of 70.75. Among all 46 South Carolina counties, Hampton stands out as exceptionally well-positioned against natural disasters.

Lower risk than surrounding counties

Jasper County (78.59) and Allendale County (unmeasured) present higher risk profiles than Hampton. Your county's advantage stems from lower flood exposure and more moderate wildfire conditions compared to coastal neighbors.

Watch for hurricanes and earthquakes

Hurricane risk (92.99) and earthquake risk (82.89) are Hampton's primary concerns, though both remain manageable with proper preparation. Flood risk (34.67) stays notably low, making hurricane preparedness your top priority.

Secure hurricane and earthquake coverage

Standard homeowners insurance covers earthquake damage—verify your policy includes it. Consider a separate wind/hurricane policy if your current homeowners plan has limitations on wind damage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hampton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    71th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hampton County

Risk Verdict

Hampton County's FEMA risk score places it at the 65th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Hampton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (71th percentile), tornado (43th percentile), flood (35th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 93th percentile nationally, Hampton County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Hampton County's earthquake exposure at the 83th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Hampton County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 6.0 points below the South Carolina state average, Hampton County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Hampton 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 Hampton County, SC?
Hampton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 65th 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 Hampton County?
Hampton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (93th percentile), earthquake (83th percentile), wildfire (71th percentile), tornado (43th percentile), flooding (35th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 93th 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 Hampton County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Hampton County's composite risk percentile is 65th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hampton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Hampton County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hampton County's hurricane risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hampton County is at the 35th 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 Hampton County a safe place to live?
Hampton County's composite risk score of 65th 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 93th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Kershaw County

South Carolina

+1.9

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Newberry County

South Carolina

-2.8

Relatively Low

62th percentile

Cherokee County

South Carolina

+4.9

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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