Banksia Hall · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Barnwell faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barnwell gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #108 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%), then hurricanes (33%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Barnwell faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Barnwell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Barnwell, and Barnwell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Lightning adds 1%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #108 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Barnwell’s residents live in 3 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, Barnwell has more expected damage per building than 64% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Barnwell: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Barnwell flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Barnwell. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Barnwell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Barnwell County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Barnwell
Disasters that paid out in Barnwell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Barnwell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,487 households applied for aid$910K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds43 households applied for aid$131K aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Matthew61 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$34K to the City of Barnwell for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$28K to the City of Barnwell for repairs
Barnwell 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 Barnwell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Barnwell archive →Get ready for what Barnwell faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Barnwell
Is Barnwell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barnwell has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #108 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%) and hurricanes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Barnwell 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 Barnwell County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Barnwell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Barnwell’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 Barnwell?
By FEMA money that reached Barnwell, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,487 households applied for aid, $910K approved.
Is Barnwell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Barnwell’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Barnwell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Barnwell’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.