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

Marlboro County Disaster Risk

Marlboro County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

57th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#35

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

41th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Marlboro County, South Carolina

Marlboro has relatively low national disaster risk

Marlboro County scores 57.47 on the composite risk scale, well below the national average and below South Carolina's state average of 70.75. This relatively low standing reflects the county's generally modest exposure to most natural hazards, though hurricane risk remains a regional concern.

Marlboro ranks in the safer half of SC

Marlboro County ranks in the lower half of South Carolina's 46 counties for overall disaster risk, placing it among the safer communities in the state. Only a handful of counties, like McCormick, face significantly lower composite risk.

Marlboro is safer than Marion but closer to McCormick

With a composite score of 57.47, Marlboro sits between its high-risk neighbor Marion County (80.69) and the very safe McCormick County (9.54). Marlboro's 88.24 hurricane risk is notably lower than Marion's 94.79, reflecting differences in coastal exposure and geographic positioning.

Wildfires and tornadoes are top concerns

Marlboro faces equal wildfire and tornado risks, both scoring 73.66, making these the county's most significant hazards. Hurricane risk (88.24) rounds out the top three, though it remains below Marion County's extreme exposure.

Focus on wind and fire protection

Marlboro residents should prioritize homeowner's insurance that covers wind damage, given the county's 88.24 hurricane risk and 73.66 tornado exposure. Wildfire protection and defensible space around homes are equally important due to the 73.66 wildfire risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Marlboro County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    74th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    74th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Marlboro County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Marlboro County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 57th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Marlboro County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Marlboro County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (74th percentile), earthquake (73th percentile), flood (41th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 88th percentile nationally makes Marlboro County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Marlboro County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 74th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Marlboro County independent of hurricane season. Marlboro County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Marlboro County's composite risk score sits 13.3 points below the South Carolina county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Marlboro 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 Marlboro County, SC?
Marlboro County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 57th 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 Marlboro County?
Marlboro County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (88th percentile), wildfire (74th percentile), tornado (74th percentile), earthquake (73th percentile), flooding (41th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 88th 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 Marlboro County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Marlboro County's composite risk percentile is 57th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Marlboro County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Marlboro County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Marlboro County's hurricane risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Marlboro County is at the 41th 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 Marlboro County a safe place to live?
Marlboro County's composite risk score of 57th 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 88th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Union County

South Carolina

+0.7

Relatively Low

58th percentile

Newberry County

South Carolina

+4.5

Relatively Low

62th percentile

Hampton County

South Carolina

+7.3

Relatively Low

65th 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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