Galivants Ferry Historic District · Photo: Pubdog · Public domainFEMA puts Aynor’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aynor gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Aynor 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 Aynor’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aynor, and Aynor’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 19% (lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Aynor’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $699K a year in losses across Aynor: $550K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aynor flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aynor, from FEMA’s records: 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $66K
- Hurricane Idalia1 claim · $70K
Aynor 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aynor
Disasters that paid out in Aynor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Aynor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian70 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence86 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$5K to the Town of Aynor for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew154 households applied for aid$84K aid approved$21K to the Town of Aynor for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $66K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding88 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances10 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Charley$1K to the Town of Aynor for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$24K to the Town of Aynor for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$12K to the Town of Aynor 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 Aynor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aynor archive →Get ready for what Aynor 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 Aynor
Is Aynor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aynor has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Aynor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Aynor since 2016, $217K in all, or 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Aynor 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 Aynor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aynor’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 Aynor?
By FEMA money that reached Aynor, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 154 households applied for aid, $84K approved, and $21K to the Town of Aynor for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $66K.
Is Aynor at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Aynor’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aynor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aynor’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.