Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Clover faces less hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clover gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #7 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (10%). 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 Clover 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
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Clover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clover, and Clover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A #7 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clover’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, Clover has less expected damage per building than 96% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Clover: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clover flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Clover. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Clover isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clover
Disasters that paid out in Clover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,056 households applied for aid$566K aid approved$18K to the Town of Clover for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$23K to the Town of Clover for repairs
York County has had 16 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.
Old photos of Clover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clover archive →Get ready for what Clover 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.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Clover
Is Clover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clover has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #7 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Clover 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 York County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clover’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 Clover?
By FEMA money that reached Clover, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,056 households applied for aid, $566K approved, and $18K to the Town of Clover for repairs.
Is Clover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Clover’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clover’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.