Photo: Pollinator at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Conway faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Conway gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #137 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (69%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 307 claims here since 1981.
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 Conway’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Conway 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
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 Conway’s grade
Hurricanes are 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Conway, and Conway’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 21% (lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
D #137 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Conway’s residents live in 14 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, Conway has more expected damage per building than 81% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.5M a year in losses across Conway: $15.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Conway flood? Yes: 307 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Conway, from FEMA’s records: 32.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence109 claims · $15.0M
- Hurricane Matthew58 claims · $2.9M
- Hurricane Floyd48 claims · $1.7M
Conway 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Conway
Disasters that paid out in Conway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Conway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$484K to the City of Conway for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$5K to the City of Conway for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian945 households applied for aid$578K aid approved$159K to the City of Conway for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$110K to the City of Conway for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence2,061 households applied for aid$5.2M aid approved$2.6M to the City of Conway for repairs109 flood claims paid for it, $15.0M
- 2017Hurricane Irma$22K to the City of Conway for repairs
Show all 12
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1,702 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$862K to the City of Conway for repairs58 flood claims paid for it, $2.9M
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding1,677 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$102K to the City of Conway for repairs28 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$270K to the City of Conway for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances261 households applied for aid$263K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Charley$28K to the City of Conway for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$970K to the City of Conway for repairs48 flood claims paid for it, $1.7M
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 Conway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Conway archive →Conway and its neighbors
Conway is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hill | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 117 |
| Carolina Forest | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 12 |
| Conway | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 307 |
| Homewood | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | — |
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 Conway 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.
- 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 Conway
Is Conway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Conway has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #137 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (69%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Conway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 307 claims in Conway since 1981, $21.4M in all, or 32.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 65 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (109).
Is Conway 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 Conway?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Conway’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 Conway?
By FEMA money that reached Conway, Hurricane Florence (2018): 2,061 households applied for aid, $5.2M approved, and $2.6M to the City of Conway for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 109 paid, $15.0M.
Is Conway at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Conway’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Conway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Conway’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.