Photo: U.S. Geological Survey · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach isn’t graded for hazard risk: Atlantic Beach has 237 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1989.
What Atlantic Beach 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
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 Atlantic Beach flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Atlantic Beach, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Hugo1 claim · $17K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $56K
- The October severe storms1 claim · $25K
Atlantic Beach isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Horry County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Atlantic Beach
Disasters that paid out in Atlantic Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Atlantic Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian4 households applied for aid$300 aid approved$7K to the Town of Atlantic Beach for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence$7K to the Town of Atlantic Beach for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$10K to the Town of Atlantic Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $56K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Charley$3K to the Town of Atlantic Beach for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$4K to the Town of Atlantic Beach for repairs
Horry County has had 19 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Horry County, 2001–2025.
Old photos of Atlantic Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Atlantic Beach archive →Atlantic Beach and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Myrtle Beach | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 2,847 |
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 Atlantic Beach 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.
- 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 Atlantic Beach
Does Atlantic Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Atlantic Beach since 1989, $98K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Hugo (1).
Is Atlantic Beach 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 Horry County, 14.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Atlantic Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Atlantic Beach’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 Atlantic Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Atlantic Beach, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 6 households applied for aid, $4K approved, and $10K to the Town of Atlantic Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Hugo: 1 paid, $17K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Atlantic Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Atlantic Beach’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.