riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Marion County Disaster Risk

Marion County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

81th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#21

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

56th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Marion County

Risk Verdict

Marion County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 81th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Marion County, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 80th percentile. Additional hazards include tornado (75th), wildfire (69th), flood (56th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Marion 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 earthquake 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

Marion County is significantly riskier than the average county in South Carolina. Its composite risk score is 9.9 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 Marion County, SC?
Marion County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 81th 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 Marion County?
Marion County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (95th percentile), earthquake (80th percentile), tornado (75th percentile), wildfire (69th percentile), flooding (56th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 95th 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 Marion County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Marion County's composite risk percentile is 81th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Marion County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Marion County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Marion County's hurricane risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Marion County is at the 56th 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 Marion County higher risk than average?
Marion County's composite risk score of 81th percentile is above the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (95th percentile), along with earthquake and tornado 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

Sumter County

South Carolina

+1.0

Relatively Moderate

82th percentile

Lancaster County

South Carolina

-1.3

Relatively Low

79th percentile

Williamsburg County

South Carolina

+1.4

Relatively Moderate

82th 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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