More hazard damage per building is expected in Awendaw than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Awendaw gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2004.
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 Awendaw’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Awendaw 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
Coastal flooding
Wildfire
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 Awendaw’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Awendaw, and Awendaw’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 8%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Awendaw’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Awendaw: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Awendaw flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Awendaw, from FEMA’s records: 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $60K
- The October severe storms1 claim · $8K
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $40K
Awendaw is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Charleston County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Awendaw
Disasters that paid out in Awendaw itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Awendaw), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian37 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$2K to the Town of Awendaw for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew64 households applied for aid$158K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $60K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding243 households applied for aid$333K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances10 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Gaston$188 to the Town of Awendaw for repairs
Charleston County has had 18 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 Awendaw after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Awendaw archive →Awendaw and its neighbors
Awendaw 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 1,061 |
| Awendaw | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 6 |
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 Awendaw 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- Awendaw residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Awendaw
Is Awendaw at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Awendaw has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Awendaw flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Awendaw since 2004, $127K in all, or 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (2).
Is Awendaw 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 Charleston County, 78% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 31.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Awendaw?
Awendaw is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Awendaw?
By FEMA money that reached Awendaw, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 243 households applied for aid, $333K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 2 paid, $60K.
Is Awendaw at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Awendaw’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Awendaw.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Awendaw’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.