FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in South Point than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Point gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #955 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1990.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about South Point’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Point 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
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.
What’s behind South Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Point, and South Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #955 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Point’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, South Point has more expected damage per building than 96% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across South Point: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Point flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Point, from FEMA’s records: 16.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $18K
South Point isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Point
Disasters that paid out in South Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of South Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$5K to the Village of South Point for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Village of South Point for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$21K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow13 households applied for aid$6K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Lawrence County has had 12 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 South Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Point archive →South Point and its neighbors
South Point is 6th of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Kenova | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Ceredo | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Fayette Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Perry Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| South Point | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Catlettsburg | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what South Point 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.
- 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 South Point
Is South Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Point has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #955 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in South Point since 1990, $739K in all, or 16.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (4).
Is South Point 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 Lawrence County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Point’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 South Point?
By FEMA money that reached South Point, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 5 households applied for aid, $21K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 4 paid, $18K.
Is South Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and South Point’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Point’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.