More hazard damage per building is expected in Carolina Forest than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carolina Forest gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #135 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1989.
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 Carolina Forest 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 Carolina Forest’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carolina Forest, and Carolina Forest’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 20% (lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
D #135 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carolina Forest’s residents live in 5 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, Carolina Forest has more expected damage per building than 80% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.4M a year in losses across Carolina Forest: $10.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carolina Forest flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carolina Forest, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew5 claims · $151K
- The October severe storms3 claims · $163K
- The December nor’easter2 claims · $61K
Carolina Forest 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.The storms Carolina Forest remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Horry County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Carolina Forest itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20165 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Matthew, declared for Horry County
- 20153 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Horry County
- 20232 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Idalia, declared for Horry County
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 Carolina Forest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carolina Forest archive →Carolina Forest and its neighbors
Carolina Forest 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Forest | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 12 |
| Conway | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 307 |
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 Carolina Forest 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 Carolina Forest
Is Carolina Forest at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carolina Forest has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #135 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carolina Forest flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Carolina Forest since 1989, $437K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (5).
Is Carolina Forest 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 Carolina Forest?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carolina Forest’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 Carolina Forest?
By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 5 paid, $151K.
Is Carolina Forest at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Carolina Forest’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carolina Forest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carolina Forest’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.