Storms, floods and disasters in Severy
Severy isn’t graded for hazard risk: Severy has 175 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Severy faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Wildfire
Ice storms
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
Does Severy flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Severy. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Severy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greenwood County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Severy
Disasters that paid out in Severy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Severy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Severy for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$1K to the City of Severy for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$7K to the City of Severy for repairs
Greenwood County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Severy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Severy archive →Get ready for what Severy faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Severy
Is Severy in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Greenwood County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Severy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Severy’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Severy?
By FEMA money that reached Severy, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $7K to the City of Severy for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Severy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Severy’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.