Appin (Boundary Increase) · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Bennettsville faces more hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bennettsville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #120 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Bennettsville 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
Tornadoes
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 Bennettsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bennettsville, and Bennettsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #120 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bennettsville’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, Bennettsville has more expected damage per building than 71% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Bennettsville: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bennettsville flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bennettsville, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence6 claims · $171K
- Hurricane Debby4 claims · $107K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $10K
Bennettsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marlboro County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bennettsville
Disasters that paid out in Bennettsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bennettsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$14K to the City of Bennettsville for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds71 households applied for aid$102K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence1,088 households applied for aid$879K aid approved$529K to the City of Bennettsville for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $171K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew316 households applied for aid$147K aid approved$433K to the City of Bennettsville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances23 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$17K to the City of Bennettsville for repairs
Marlboro 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 Bennettsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bennettsville archive →Get ready for what Bennettsville 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.
- 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.
- 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 Bennettsville
Is Bennettsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bennettsville has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #120 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bennettsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Bennettsville since 2016, $331K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (6).
Is Bennettsville 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 Marlboro County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bennettsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bennettsville’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 Bennettsville?
By FEMA money that reached Bennettsville, Hurricane Florence (2018): 1,088 households applied for aid, $879K approved, and $529K to the City of Bennettsville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 6 paid, $171K.
Is Bennettsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Bennettsville’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bennettsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bennettsville’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.