On FEMA’s figures, Clearwater faces less hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clearwater gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #11 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (18%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clearwater, and Clearwater’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 18% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #11 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clearwater’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, Clearwater has less expected damage per building than 94% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $944K a year in losses across Clearwater: $737K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clearwater flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Clearwater. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Clearwater isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Aiken County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Clearwater
Disasters that paid out in Clearwater itself (aid to households or repair grants to Clearwater), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene57 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
Aiken County has had 16 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 Clearwater after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clearwater archive →Clearwater and its neighbors
Clearwater has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| North Augusta | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Burnettown | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater
Is Clearwater at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clearwater has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #11 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Clearwater 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 Aiken County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clearwater?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clearwater’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 Clearwater?
By FEMA money that reached Clearwater, Hurricane Helene (2024): 57 households applied for aid, $33K approved.
Is Clearwater at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Clearwater’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clearwater.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clearwater’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.