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

Jasper County Disaster Risk

Jasper County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

79th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#23

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

59th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% 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

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jasper County, South Carolina

Jasper County carries above-average risk

With a composite risk score of 78.59, Jasper County scores above the national average and carries a Relatively Low rating overall. This Low Country county faces meaningful but manageable disaster exposure.

Moderate risk within South Carolina

Jasper County ranks in the middle tier of South Carolina counties, scoring 7.84 points above the state average of 70.75. Among the state's 46 counties, Jasper faces moderate hazard exposure.

Comparable to nearby Hampton County

Hampton County (64.79) presents lower risk, while Beaufort County (measured differently) shows similar coastal vulnerabilities. Jasper's wildfire risk (76.72) exceeds most neighbors, offsetting lower tornado exposure.

Hurricanes and wildfires pose greatest threats

Hurricane risk (96.20) and wildfire risk (76.72) are Jasper's dominant hazards, with flood risk (59.00) remaining moderate. Tornado risk (35.85) stays relatively low compared to inland counties.

Bundle flood and wind insurance

Flood insurance is essential in Jasper County and not included in standard homeowners policies. Pair it with wind/hurricane coverage to address your county's top two risk categories.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jasper County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    77th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jasper County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 79th, Jasper County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Jasper County residents should plan accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Jasper County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (77th percentile), flood (59th percentile), tornado (36th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 96th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Jasper 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. Earthquake at the 83th percentile nationally is Jasper County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Jasper County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

At 7.8 points above the South Carolina state average, Jasper County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical South Carolina county.

Is your household prepared for Jasper 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 Jasper County, SC?
Jasper County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 79th 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 Jasper County?
Jasper County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (96th percentile), earthquake (83th percentile), wildfire (77th percentile), flooding (59th percentile), tornado (36th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 96th 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 Jasper County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Jasper County's composite risk percentile is 79th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jasper County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Jasper County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Jasper County's hurricane risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jasper County is at the 59th 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 Jasper County higher risk than average?
Jasper County's composite risk score of 79th percentile is above the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (96th percentile), along with earthquake and wildfire and flooding 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

Lancaster County

South Carolina

+0.8

Relatively Low

79th percentile

Pickens County

South Carolina

-1.0

Relatively Low

78th percentile

Clarendon County

South Carolina

-2.1

Relatively Low

76th 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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