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

Saluda County Disaster Risk

Saluda County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

40th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#41

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

47th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Saluda County, South Carolina

Saluda ranks well below national disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 40.14, Saluda County sits in the "Very Low" category—well below the national average. This means residents face comparatively lower exposure to major natural hazards than most American counties.

South Carolina's safest county from disasters

Saluda's 40.14 score ranks it as the lowest-risk county in South Carolina, standing 43 points below the state average of 70.75. Among all South Carolina counties, Saluda offers the most favorable natural disaster risk profile.

Safer than all surrounding Upstate counties

Saluda's risk score of 40.14 dramatically outperforms neighboring Union County (58.21) and Spartanburg County (90.65). Even among regional peers, Saluda residents enjoy substantially lower exposure to tornado, flood, and earthquake hazards.

Earthquakes and hurricanes pose low but real risks

Saluda's top hazards are earthquake risk (66.79) and hurricane risk (75.68), both moderate on the county's overall low-risk profile. Tornado risk (63.96) ranks third, though all three remain well below state averages.

Basic coverage protects Saluda homes effectively

While Saluda's disaster risk is the lowest in the state, standard homeowners insurance remains essential for the county's modest earthquake and hurricane exposure. Consider a conversation with your insurer about earthquake coverage, as standard policies typically exclude it.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Saluda County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    67th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    64th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Saluda County

Risk Verdict

Saluda County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 40th percentile nationally. Saluda County residents can take confidence from a 40th 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 Saluda County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (64th percentile), wildfire (52th percentile), flood (47th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 76th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Saluda 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, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 67th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Saluda County independent of hurricane season. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Saluda County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Saluda County falls 30.6 points below South Carolina's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Saluda 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 Saluda County, SC?
Saluda County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 40th 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 Saluda County?
Saluda County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (76th percentile), earthquake (67th percentile), tornado (64th percentile), wildfire (52th percentile), flooding (47th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 76th 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 Saluda County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Saluda County's composite risk percentile is 40th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Saluda County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Saluda County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Saluda County's hurricane risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Saluda County is at the 47th 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 Saluda County a safe place to live?
Saluda County's composite risk score of 40th 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 76th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Fairfield County

South Carolina

+0.7

Very Low

41th percentile

Chester County

South Carolina

+3.0

Relatively Low

43th percentile

Lee County

South Carolina

-4.2

Very Low

36th 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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