On FEMA’s figures, Boiling Springs faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boiling Springs gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #103 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2020.
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 Boiling Springs 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
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 Boiling Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Boiling Springs, and Boiling Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #103 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Boiling Springs’ 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, Boiling Springs has more expected damage per building than 61% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Boiling Springs: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Boiling Springs flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Boiling Springs, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $86K
Boiling Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Spartanburg County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Boiling Springs
Disasters that paid out in Boiling Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to Boiling Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene7,003 households applied for aid$4.4M aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $86K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Spartanburg 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 Boiling Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Boiling Springs archive →Boiling Springs and its neighbors
Boiling Springs has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling Springs | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Valley Falls | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Boiling Springs 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.
- 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 Boiling Springs
Is Boiling Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boiling Springs has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #103 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Boiling Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Boiling Springs since 2020, $88K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1).
Is Boiling Springs 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 Spartanburg County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Boiling Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Boiling Springs’ 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 Boiling Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Boiling Springs, Hurricane Helene (2024): 7,003 households applied for aid, $4.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1 paid, $86K.
Is Boiling Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Boiling Springs’ rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Boiling Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Boiling Springs’ 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.