Photo: Evanoco · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Andrews, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Andrews gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2016.
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 Andrews’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Andrews faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Andrews’ grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Andrews, and Andrews’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 1%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #169 of 169 in South Carolina; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Andrews’ residents live in 4 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, Andrews has more expected damage per building than 100% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Andrews: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Andrews flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Andrews, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew4 claims · $110K
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $101K
Andrews isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Georgetown County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Andrews
Disasters that paid out in Andrews itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Andrews), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian79 households applied for aid$77K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence34 households applied for aid$998 aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Matthew536 households applied for aid$497K aid approved$8K to the Town of Andrews for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $110K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding1,559 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved$92K to the Town of Andrews for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances248 households applied for aid$202K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Charley$7K to the Town of Andrews for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$29K to the Town of Andrews for repairs
Georgetown County has had 19 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 Andrews after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Andrews archive →Get ready for what Andrews faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Andrews
Is Andrews at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Andrews has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Andrews flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Andrews since 2016, $221K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (4).
Is Andrews 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 Georgetown County, 20.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Andrews?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Andrews’ 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 Andrews?
By FEMA money that reached Andrews, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 1,559 households applied for aid, $3.9M approved, and $92K to the Town of Andrews for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 4 paid, $110K.
Is Andrews at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Andrews’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Andrews.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Andrews’ 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.