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

Lee County Disaster Risk

Lee County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#42

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

19th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lee County, South Carolina

Lee County has the lowest risk nationally

Lee County's composite risk score of 35.97 places it far below the national average with a Very Low rating. Your county faces significantly fewer natural disaster threats than typical American counties.

South Carolina's safest county

Lee County scores 34.78 points below South Carolina's average of 70.75, making it the lowest-risk county in the entire state. Among 46 South Carolina counties, Lee stands alone as exceptionally protected from natural hazards.

Safer than all surrounding counties

Kershaw County (66.67) and Sumter County (measured separately) both face significantly higher risk than Lee. Lee's central location and inland position combine to create the state's lowest overall disaster exposure.

Hurricanes and tornadoes are primary concerns

Hurricane risk (85.23) and tornado risk (60.05) represent Lee's top hazards, though both remain moderate. Flood risk (19.43) is exceptionally low, giving Lee a major advantage among South Carolina counties.

Standard homeowners insurance typically sufficient

Lee County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance often provides adequate protection for most properties. Review your wind coverage for hurricane/tornado protection, and confirm your deductibles align with your home's value.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    60th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lee County

Risk Verdict

At the 36th percentile nationally, Lee County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Lee County residents can take confidence from a 36th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (60th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile), flood (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Lee County ranks at the 85th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Lee County's earthquake exposure at the 72th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. For extended post-storm outages common in Lee County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

A composite score 34.8 points below the South Carolina state average puts Lee County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Lee 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 Lee County, SC?
Lee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Lee County?
Lee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (85th percentile), earthquake (72th percentile), tornado (60th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile), flooding (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 85th 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 Lee County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Lee County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lee County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Lee County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lee County's hurricane risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lee County is at the 19th 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 Lee County a safe place to live?
Lee County's composite risk score of 36th 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 85th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Allendale County

South Carolina

-0.5

Very Low

35th percentile

Saluda County

South Carolina

+4.2

Very Low

40th percentile

Fairfield County

South Carolina

+4.8

Very Low

41th 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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