riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Horry County Disaster Risk

Horry County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

98th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

92th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% 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 High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Horry County

Risk Verdict

Horry County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 98th 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 Horry County, scoring in the 100th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 97th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (96th), flood (92th), wildfire (90th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Horry 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 tornado 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

Horry County is significantly riskier than the average county in South Carolina. Its composite risk score is 27.4 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 Horry County, SC?
Horry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 98th 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 Horry County?
Horry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (100th percentile), tornado (97th percentile), earthquake (96th percentile), flooding (92th percentile), wildfire (90th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 100th 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 Horry County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Horry County's composite risk percentile is 98th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Horry County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Horry County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Horry County's hurricane risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Horry County is at the 92th 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 Horry County higher risk than average?
Horry County's composite risk score of 98th percentile is above the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (100th percentile), along with tornado and earthquake 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

Charleston County

South Carolina

+0.4

Relatively High

99th percentile

Beaufort County

South Carolina

-1.1

Relatively High

97th percentile

Berkeley County

South Carolina

-3.4

Relatively High

95th 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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