Photo: The original uploader was Festiva76 at English Wikipedia. · Public domainFEMA puts Aiken’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aiken gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #24 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1979.
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 Aiken 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Aiken’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aiken, and Aiken’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #24 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Aiken’s residents live in 13 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical South Carolina town has lower expected damage than 55% of U.S. towns; within the state, Aiken has less expected damage per building than 86% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.6M a year in losses across Aiken: $7.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aiken flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aiken, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Aiken isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Aiken County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aiken
Disasters that paid out in Aiken itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Aiken), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene16,388 households applied for aid$12.1M aid approved$5.2M to the City of Aiken for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds52 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$11K to the City of Aiken for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$18K to the City of Aiken for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$1.8M to the City of Aiken for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of Aiken for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$568K to the City of Aiken for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$10K to the City of Aiken for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$30K to the City of Aiken for repairs
Aiken County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Aiken after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aiken archive →Get ready for what Aiken 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Aiken
Is Aiken at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aiken has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #24 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Aiken flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Aiken since 1979, $1K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Aiken 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 Aiken County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aiken?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aiken’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 Aiken?
By FEMA money that reached Aiken, Hurricane Helene (2024): 16,388 households applied for aid, $12.1M approved, and $5.2M to the City of Aiken for repairs.
Is Aiken at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Aiken’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aiken.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aiken’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.