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

Union County Disaster Risk

Union County, South Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

58th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#34

of 46 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Union County, South Carolina

Union ranks as relatively low-risk nationally

With a composite risk score of 58.21 and a "Relatively Low" rating, Union County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's risk profile is notably more favorable than most American counties.

Safer than average for South Carolina

Union County's 58.21 score falls 12.5 points below the state average of 70.75, positioning it among the safer counties in South Carolina. Fewer hazards expose residents to significant natural disaster risk here than across the state overall.

Safest upstate county alongside Saluda

Union's 58.21 risk score is substantially lower than surrounding Spartanburg County (90.65) and York County (88.68), making it one of the upstate's safer communities. Only Saluda County (40.14) has markedly lower risk in the region.

Tornadoes and earthquakes drive Union's risk

Tornado risk (79.10) and earthquake risk (74.08) are Union's top hazards, followed by wildfire risk (53.47). All remain below state averages, reflecting the county's overall favorable risk position.

Standard insurance meets Union County needs well

Union's relatively low overall risk means basic homeowners coverage addresses most residents' protection needs effectively. However, tornado-prone areas should verify adequate wind/hail coverage, and earthquake coverage remains an optional but prudent add-on.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Union County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    74th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    71th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Union County

Risk Verdict

Union County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Union County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Union County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (71th percentile), wildfire (53th percentile), flood (53th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Union County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 79th percentile nationally. For Union County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 74th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Union County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Union County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The South Carolina county average exceeds Union County's score by 12.5 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Union 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 Union County, SC?
Union County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 58th 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 Union County?
Union County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (79th percentile), earthquake (74th percentile), hurricane (71th percentile), wildfire (53th percentile), flooding (53th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 79th 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 Union County risk compare to the South Carolina average?
Union County's composite risk percentile is 58th, compared to the South Carolina state average of 71th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Union County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Carolina.
Is Union County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Union County's tornado risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Union County is at the 53th 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 Union County a safe place to live?
Union County's composite risk score of 58th 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 tornado at the 79th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Marlboro County

South Carolina

-0.7

Relatively Low

57th percentile

Newberry County

South Carolina

+3.8

Relatively Low

62th percentile

Hampton County

South Carolina

+6.6

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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