James Island, SC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
James Island is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Charleston County, SC. The county's highest-rated hazards are coastal flooding, hurricane, and earthquake.
Storm events near James Island
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of James Island's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to James Island itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Charleston County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering James Island along with the rest of the county, not a James Island-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 93.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 89.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 99.8 | Very High |
| Earthquake | 98.8 | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | 82.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 71 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 87.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 35.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 60.9 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 99.6 | Very High |
| Ice Storm | 94.5 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 37.7 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 92.6 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 82.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 84.2 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Charleston County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Charleston County:
More on Charleston County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is James Island, SC at risk of?
James Island is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Charleston County, where James Island is located, are coastal flooding, hurricane, and earthquake.
What is James Island's biggest natural hazard risk?
Coastal Flooding is the highest-rated hazard for Charleston County, where James Island is located, scoring 99.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is James Island a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — James Island carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Charleston County.
Has James Island had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 19 tornado, 116 hail, 119 inland flooding events within 25 miles of James Island since 2016.