Photo: Dr. Blazer · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Camden than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #64 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1990.
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 stands out about Camden’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Camden 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
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 Camden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Camden, and Camden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #64 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Camden’s residents live in 3 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, Camden has less expected damage per building than 62% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Camden: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Camden flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Camden, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $25K
- The October severe storms1 claim · $11K
Camden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kershaw County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Camden
Disasters that paid out in Camden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Camden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene797 households applied for aid$460K aid approved$138K to the City of Camden for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $25K
- 2017Hurricane Irma$4K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew13 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$111K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding841 households applied for aid$484K aid approved$157K to the City of Camden for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances69 households applied for aid$96K aid approved
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$105K to the City of Camden for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$47K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$7K to the City of Camden for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Kershaw County has had 20 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 Camden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Camden archive →Camden and its neighbors
Camden is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Camden | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Camden | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Camden 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.
- 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 Camden
Is Camden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #64 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Camden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Camden since 1990, $39K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1).
Is Camden 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 Kershaw County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Camden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Camden’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 Camden?
By FEMA money that reached Camden, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 841 households applied for aid, $484K approved, and $157K to the City of Camden for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1 paid, $25K.
Is Camden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Camden’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Camden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Camden’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.