Photo: Dincher · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Bishopville faces more hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bishopville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #115 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (41%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Bishopville 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
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 Bishopville’s grade
Hurricanes are 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bishopville, and Bishopville’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 34% (lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #115 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bishopville’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, Bishopville has more expected damage per building than 68% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Bishopville: $797K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bishopville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bishopville, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms1 claim · $15K
Bishopville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lee County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bishopville
Disasters that paid out in Bishopville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bishopville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew245 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$105K to the City of Bishopville for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding1,095 households applied for aid$597K aid approved$12K to the City of Bishopville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances213 households applied for aid$106K aid approved
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$4K to the City of Bishopville for repairs
Lee County has had 18 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 Bishopville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bishopville archive →Get ready for what Bishopville 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.
- 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 Bishopville
Is Bishopville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bishopville has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #115 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (41%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bishopville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bishopville since 2000, $19K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from October severe storms (1).
Is Bishopville 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 Lee County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bishopville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bishopville’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 Bishopville?
By FEMA money that reached Bishopville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 1,095 households applied for aid, $597K approved, and $12K to the City of Bishopville for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Bishopville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Bishopville’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bishopville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bishopville’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.