Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Denmark’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Denmark gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #121 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (57%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2000.
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 Denmark 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 Denmark’s grade
Hurricanes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Denmark, and Denmark’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #121 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Denmark’s residents live in 2 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, Denmark has more expected damage per building than 71% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Denmark: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Denmark flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Denmark, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Denmark isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bamberg County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Denmark
Disasters that paid out in Denmark itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Denmark), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene850 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Matthew75 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$77K to the City of Denmark for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding146 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$25K to the City of Denmark for repairs
Bamberg County has had 18 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 Denmark after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Denmark archive →Get ready for what Denmark 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 Denmark
Is Denmark at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Denmark has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #121 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (57%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Denmark flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Denmark since 2000, $99K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Denmark 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 Bamberg County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Denmark?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Denmark’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 Denmark?
By FEMA money that reached Denmark, Hurricane Helene (2024): 850 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved.
Is Denmark at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Denmark’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Denmark.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Denmark’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.