Photo: JayHendrix74 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Batesburg-Leesville than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Batesburg-Leesville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #21 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2014.
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 Batesburg-Leesville 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 Batesburg-Leesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Batesburg-Leesville, and Batesburg-Leesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #21 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Batesburg-Leesville’s residents live in 4 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, Batesburg-Leesville has less expected damage per building than 88% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Batesburg-Leesville: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Batesburg-Leesville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Batesburg-Leesville, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms1 claim · $16K
Batesburg-Leesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lexington County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Batesburg-Leesville
Disasters that paid out in Batesburg-Leesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Batesburg-Leesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene59 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$174K to the Town of Batesburg-Leesville for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$26K to the Town of Batesburg-Leesville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$23K to the Town of Batesburg-Leesville for repairs
Lexington County has had 17 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.
Old photos of Batesburg-Leesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Batesburg-Leesville archive →Get ready for what Batesburg-Leesville 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 Batesburg-Leesville
Is Batesburg-Leesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Batesburg-Leesville has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #21 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Batesburg-Leesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Batesburg-Leesville since 2014, $25K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (1).
Is Batesburg-Leesville 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 Lexington County, 67% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Batesburg-Leesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Batesburg-Leesville’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 Batesburg-Leesville?
By FEMA money that reached Batesburg-Leesville, Hurricane Helene (2024): 59 households applied for aid, $24K approved, and $174K to the Town of Batesburg-Leesville for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Batesburg-Leesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Batesburg-Leesville’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Batesburg-Leesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Batesburg-Leesville’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.