Photo: Townofbluffton · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bluffton than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bluffton gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #159 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (85%), then river and rain flooding (11%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1987.
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 Bluffton 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
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 Bluffton’s grade
Hurricanes are 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bluffton, and Bluffton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 11% (lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #159 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bluffton’s residents live in 7 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, Bluffton has more expected damage per building than 94% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $28.9M a year in losses across Bluffton: $25.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bluffton flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bluffton, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Debby10 claims · $358K
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $103K
Bluffton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Beaufort County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bluffton
Disasters that paid out in Bluffton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bluffton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene385 households applied for aid$255K aid approved$99K to the Town of Bluffton for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$71K to the Town of Bluffton for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $358K
- 2017Hurricane Irma$43K to the Town of Bluffton for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew914 households applied for aid$347K aid approved$118K to the Town of Bluffton for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $103K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$7K to the Town of Bluffton for repairs
Beaufort County has had 14 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 Bluffton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bluffton archive →Get ready for what Bluffton 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.
- 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 Bluffton
Is Bluffton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bluffton has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #159 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (85%) and river and rain flooding (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bluffton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Bluffton since 1987, $500K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Debby (10).
Is Bluffton 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 Beaufort County, 39.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bluffton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bluffton’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 Bluffton?
By FEMA money that reached Bluffton, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 914 households applied for aid, $347K approved, and $118K to the Town of Bluffton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Debby: 10 paid, $358K.
Is Bluffton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Bluffton’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bluffton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bluffton’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.