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

Lexington County Disaster Risk

Lexington County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

91th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#9

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

91th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lexington County, South Carolina

Lexington County faces elevated national risk

Lexington County's composite risk score of 90.90 places it well above the national average with a Relatively Moderate rating. Your county experiences above-average exposure across multiple hazard types.

Second-highest risk in South Carolina

Lexington County scores 20.15 points above South Carolina's average of 70.75, ranking as the second-riskiest county in the state after Horry. Among 46 South Carolina counties, only Horry County (98.19) faces greater combined disaster risk.

Riskier than most neighboring counties

Kershaw County (66.67) and Laurens County (76.21) both face significantly lower risk than Lexington. Richland County (measured separately) presents comparable exposure due to similar geographic and demographic factors.

Tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes converge

Tornado risk (97.65), flood risk (90.55), and hurricane risk (92.07) create a triple-threat environment in Lexington. Earthquake risk (91.44) adds a fourth significant hazard, making comprehensive preparedness essential.

Bundle comprehensive disaster insurance

Flood insurance is critical—obtain NFIP or private coverage immediately if not already protected. Pair it with robust wind/hurricane coverage and confirm your homeowners policy includes tornado and severe storm protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lexington County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    92th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    91th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lexington County

Risk Verdict

At the 91th percentile nationally, Lexington County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Lexington County residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Lexington County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 92th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (91th percentile), flood (91th percentile), wildfire (75th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 98th percentile nationally makes Lexington County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. The secondary hurricane hazard at the 92th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Lexington County's preparedness calendar, since hurricane and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. In Lexington County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

The South Carolina county average is 20.2 composite points below Lexington County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Lexington 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 Lexington County, SC?
Lexington County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 91th 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 Lexington County?
Lexington County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (98th percentile), hurricane (92th percentile), earthquake (91th percentile), flooding (91th percentile), wildfire (75th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 98th 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 Lexington County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Lexington County's composite risk percentile is 91th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lexington County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Lexington County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Lexington County's tornado risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lexington County is at the 91th 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 Lexington County higher risk than average?
Lexington County's composite risk score of 91th percentile is above the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (98th percentile), along with hurricane 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

Spartanburg County

South Carolina

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Florence County

South Carolina

-1.3

Relatively Moderate

90th percentile

Georgetown County

South Carolina

+1.6

Relatively Moderate

92th 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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