Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bamberg than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bamberg gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #125 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2000.
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 Bamberg 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 Bamberg’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bamberg, and Bamberg’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #125 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bamberg’s residents live in 2 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, Bamberg has more expected damage per building than 74% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Bamberg: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bamberg flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bamberg, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms1 claim · $10K
Bamberg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bamberg County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bamberg
Disasters that paid out in Bamberg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bamberg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene832 households applied for aid$944K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew109 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$57K to the Town of Bamberg for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding287 households applied for aid$101K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$9K to the Town of Bamberg for repairs
Bamberg 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 Bamberg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bamberg archive →Get ready for what Bamberg 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 Bamberg
Is Bamberg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bamberg has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #125 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bamberg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Bamberg since 2000, $52K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (1).
Is Bamberg 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 Bamberg County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bamberg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bamberg’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 Bamberg?
By FEMA money that reached Bamberg, Hurricane Helene (2024): 832 households applied for aid, $944K approved. By flood claims, October severe storms: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Bamberg at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Bamberg’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bamberg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bamberg’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.