Myrtle Beach, SC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Myrtle Beach is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Horry County, SC. The county's highest-rated hazards are hurricane, tornado, and earthquake.
Storm events near Myrtle Beach
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Myrtle Beach's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Myrtle Beach 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 Horry County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Myrtle Beach along with the rest of the county, not a Myrtle Beach-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 89.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 92 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 87.6 | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | 95.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 95 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 96.7 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 88.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 48.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 44.5 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 99.6 | Very High |
| Ice Storm | 93.1 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 40.5 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 95.9 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 87 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 95.9 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Horry County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Horry County:
More on Horry County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Myrtle Beach, SC at risk of?
Myrtle Beach 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 Horry County, where Myrtle Beach is located, are hurricane, tornado, and earthquake.
What is Myrtle Beach's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hurricane is the highest-rated hazard for Horry County, where Myrtle Beach is located, scoring 99.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Myrtle Beach a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Myrtle Beach carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Horry County.
Has Myrtle Beach had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 22 tornado, 49 hail, 73 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Myrtle Beach since 2016.