Photo: Cqw1976 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Cheraw faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cheraw gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #104 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1982.
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 Cheraw 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Cheraw’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cheraw, and Cheraw’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 32% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #104 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cheraw’s residents live in 4 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, Cheraw has more expected damage per building than 61% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Cheraw: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cheraw flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cheraw, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence5 claims · $129K
Cheraw isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chesterfield County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cheraw
Disasters that paid out in Cheraw itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cheraw), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence789 households applied for aid$404K aid approved$594K to the Town of Cheraw for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $129K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew171 households applied for aid$87K aid approved$313K to the Town of Cheraw for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances12 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$56K to the Town of Cheraw for repairs
Chesterfield County has had 17 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 Cheraw after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cheraw archive →Get ready for what Cheraw 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Cheraw
Is Cheraw at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cheraw has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #104 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cheraw flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Cheraw since 1982, $140K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (5).
Is Cheraw 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 Chesterfield County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cheraw?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cheraw’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 Cheraw?
By FEMA money that reached Cheraw, Hurricane Florence (2018): 789 households applied for aid, $404K approved, and $594K to the Town of Cheraw for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 5 paid, $129K.
Is Cheraw at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Cheraw’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cheraw.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cheraw’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.