Natural Disasters in Helena, SC
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
62.0
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
55.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
73.1
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
42.3
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Ice Storm | 88.7 |
| Earthquake | 82.3 |
| Tornado | 80.9 |
| Hurricane | 80.2 |
| Cold Wave | 65.3 |
| Lightning | 63.8 |
| Heat Wave | 56.9 |
| Hail | 56.5 |
| Wildfire | 53.9 |
| Drought | 43.4 |
| Strong Wind | 41.5 |
| Landslide | 38.9 |
| Winter Weather | 21.9 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
24
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
11 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Sep 29, 2024 | Hurricane | HURRICANE HELENE |
| Sep 26, 2024 | Tropical Storm | HURRICANE HELENE |
| Aug 5, 2024 | Tropical Storm | HURRICANE DEBBY |
| Aug 31, 2023 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IDALIA |
| Nov 21, 2022 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IAN |
| Sep 29, 2022 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IAN |
| Mar 27, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 17, 2020 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Sep 1, 2019 | Hurricane | HURRICANE DORIAN |
| Sep 10, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLORENCE |
| Oct 16, 2017 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRMA |
| Sep 7, 2017 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRMA |
| Oct 6, 2016 | Hurricane | HURRICANE MATTHEW |
| Oct 5, 2015 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Oct 3, 2015 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Feb 12, 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Oct 7, 2004 | Hurricane | TROPICAL STORM FRANCES |
Showing 20 of 24 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
39
Total Claims Paid
$281,310
Avg Claim Payout
$7,213
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$5,638,018
Disasters with PA
6
Total Projects
70
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4829 | Hurricane | 32 | $4,603,622 |
| DR-1313 | Severe Storm(s) | 9 | $372,641 |
| DR-4241 | Flood | 12 | $329,132 |
| DR-1509 | Severe Ice Storm | 12 | $284,437 |
| DR-4492 | Biological | 3 | $41,963 |
| DR-4346 | Other | 2 | $6,223 |
Helena has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are ice storm, earthquake, tornado. The area has had 24 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (11 declarations). 39 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $5,638,018 in public assistance recovery funding.