Kennedy Street School · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Anderson as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anderson gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #72 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1998.
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 Anderson 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Anderson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Anderson, and Anderson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #72 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Anderson’s residents live in 14 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, Anderson has less expected damage per building than 58% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.1M a year in losses across Anderson: $6.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Anderson flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Anderson, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $23K
Anderson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Anderson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Anderson
Disasters that paid out in Anderson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Anderson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene19,331 households applied for aid$14.2M aid approved$2.1M to the City of Anderson for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $23K
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$63K to the City of Anderson for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$142K to the City of Anderson for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the City of Anderson for repairs
- 2005Severe Ice Storm$159K to the City of Anderson for repairs
Anderson County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Anderson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Anderson archive →Anderson and its neighbors
Anderson is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northlake | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Anderson | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Anderson 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Anderson
Is Anderson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anderson has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #72 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Anderson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Anderson since 1998, $154K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1).
Is Anderson 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 Anderson County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Anderson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Anderson’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 Anderson?
By FEMA money that reached Anderson, Hurricane Helene (2024): 19,331 households applied for aid, $14.2M approved, and $2.1M to the City of Anderson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1 paid, $23K.
Is Anderson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Anderson’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Anderson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Anderson’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.