Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Charleston than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charleston gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #151 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 5,206 claims here since 1978.
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 Charleston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Charleston faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Coastal flooding
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 Charleston’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Charleston, and Charleston’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #151 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Charleston’s residents live in 49 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, Charleston has more expected damage per building than 89% of South Carolina towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Charleston has higher expected damage per building than 97% (#390 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $179M, is the 50th largest of those 400.
Does Charleston flood? Yes: 5,206 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Charleston, from FEMA’s records: 67.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hugo1,921 claims · $48.2M
- Hurricane Irma779 claims · $27.3M
- Hurricane Matthew681 claims · $22.3M
Charleston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Charleston County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Charleston
Disasters that paid out in Charleston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Charleston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,152 households applied for aid$279K aid approved$880K to the City of Charleston for repairs40 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$1.3M to the City of Charleston for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence1 households applied for aid$538K to the City of Charleston for repairs40 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$3.1M to the City of Charleston for repairs779 flood claims paid for it, $27.3M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1,169 households applied for aid$736K aid approved$1.4M to the City of Charleston for repairs681 flood claims paid for it, $22.3M
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding3,842 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$449K to the City of Charleston for repairs707 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$43K to the City of Charleston for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances145 households applied for aid$124K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Gaston$340K to the City of Charleston for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$947K to the City of Charleston for repairs46 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 19 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 Charleston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Charleston archive →Charleston and its neighbors
Charleston is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Island | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 75 |
| Goose Creek | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 57 |
| Mount Pleasant | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 1,061 |
| Charleston | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 5,206 |
| Hollywood | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 14 |
| Folly Beach | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 919 |
| North Charleston | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 420 |
| Hanahan | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 187 |
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 Charleston 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Charleston residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Charleston
Is Charleston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charleston has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #151 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Charleston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5,206 claims in Charleston since 1978, $126M in all, or 67.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 753 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Hugo (1,921).
Is Charleston 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 Charleston County, 78% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 31.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Charleston?
Charleston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Charleston?
By FEMA money that reached Charleston, Hurricane Irma (2017): $3.1M to the City of Charleston for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Hugo: 1,921 paid, $48.2M.
Is Charleston at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Charleston’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Charleston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Charleston’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.