Storms, floods and disasters in Briarcliffe Acres
Briarcliffe Acres isn’t graded for hazard risk: Briarcliffe Acres has 448 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1989.
What Briarcliffe Acres 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.
Does Briarcliffe Acres flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Briarcliffe Acres, from FEMA’s records.
- The October severe storms3 claims · $47K
- Hurricane Hugo1 claim · $8K
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $2K
Briarcliffe Acres isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Horry County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Briarcliffe Acres
Disasters that paid out in Briarcliffe Acres itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Briarcliffe Acres), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian$45K to the Town of Briarcliffe Acres for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$18K to the Town of Briarcliffe Acres for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence$68K to the Town of Briarcliffe Acres for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$324K to the Town of Briarcliffe Acres for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$27K to the Town of Briarcliffe Acres for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Charley$21K to the Town of Briarcliffe Acres for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$32K to the Town of Briarcliffe Acres for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
Horry County has had 19 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Horry County, 2001–2025.
Old photos of Briarcliffe Acres after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Briarcliffe Acres archive →Briarcliffe Acres and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Myrtle Beach | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 2,847 |
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 Briarcliffe Acres 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 Briarcliffe Acres
Does Briarcliffe Acres flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Briarcliffe Acres since 1989, $60K in all. The most claims came from October severe storms (3).
Is Briarcliffe Acres 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 Horry County, 14.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Briarcliffe Acres?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Briarcliffe Acres’ 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 Briarcliffe Acres?
By FEMA money that reached Briarcliffe Acres, Hurricane Matthew (2016): $324K to the Town of Briarcliffe Acres for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 3 paid, $47K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Briarcliffe Acres.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Briarcliffe Acres’ 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.