Photo: Jud McCranie · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Darlington as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Darlington gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #92 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1987.
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 Darlington 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Darlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Darlington, and Darlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 21% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #92 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Darlington’s residents live in 5 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, Darlington has more expected damage per building than 54% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Darlington: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Darlington flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Darlington, from FEMA’s records: 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms5 claims · $154K
- Hurricane Florence5 claims · $190K
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $33K
Darlington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Darlington County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Darlington
Disasters that paid out in Darlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Darlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$95K to the City of Darlington for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence305 households applied for aid$184K aid approved$112K to the City of Darlington for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $190K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew829 households applied for aid$356K aid approved$391K to the City of Darlington for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $33K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding1,384 households applied for aid$870K aid approved$75K to the City of Darlington for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances175 households applied for aid$80K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Darlington County has had 18 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 Darlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Darlington archive →Get ready for what Darlington 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Darlington
Is Darlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Darlington has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #92 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Darlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Darlington since 1987, $482K in all, or 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (5).
Is Darlington 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 Darlington County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Darlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Darlington’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 Darlington?
By FEMA money that reached Darlington, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 1,384 households applied for aid, $870K approved, and $75K to the City of Darlington for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 5 paid, $154K.
Is Darlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Darlington’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Darlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Darlington’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.