Natural Disasters in Salem, SC
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
85.6
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
82.0
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
70.5
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
42.1
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Cold Wave | 98.5 |
| Ice Storm | 90.5 |
| Landslide | 85.5 |
| Lightning | 83.1 |
| Tornado | 81.0 |
| Earthquake | 80.2 |
| Hail | 78.6 |
| Hurricane | 72.8 |
| Strong Wind | 68.4 |
| Heat Wave | 65.5 |
| Wildfire | 63.4 |
| Drought | 45.9 |
| Winter Weather | 23.8 |
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
22
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 |
| 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 |
| May 1, 2020 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| 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 3, 2015 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Feb 12, 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jan 20, 2006 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE ICE STORM |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Oct 7, 2004 | Hurricane | TROPICAL STORM FRANCES |
Showing 20 of 22 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
24
Total Claims Paid
$179,375
Avg Claim Payout
$7,474
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$9,592,628
Disasters with PA
8
Total Projects
91
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4542 | Severe Storm(s) | 13 | $6,433,460 |
| DR-4829 | Hurricane | 27 | $1,811,753 |
| DR-4346 | Other | 12 | $472,578 |
| DR-4479 | Flood | 12 | $447,219 |
| DR-1625 | Severe Ice Storm | 19 | $363,047 |
| DR-4492 | Biological | 4 | $50,219 |
| DR-1509 | Severe Ice Storm | 3 | $11,105 |
| DR-3233 | Hurricane | 1 | $3,246 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
8
Federal Funding
$295,003
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.37
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation | 2 | $30,000 |
| 403.1: Stormwater Management - Culverts | 1 | $140,741 |
| 91.5: Local Multijurisdictional Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $12,368 |
| 601.2: Generators - Regular | 1 | $0 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $83,508 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Salem has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are cold wave, ice storm, landslide. The area has had 22 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (11 declarations). 24 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $9,592,628 in public assistance recovery funding. 8 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.