Photo: Mikeiamunion21 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Dillon’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dillon gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #124 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 2016.
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 Dillon 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
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 Dillon’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dillon, and Dillon’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 2%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #124 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dillon’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, Dillon has more expected damage per building than 73% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.6M a year in losses across Dillon: $8.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dillon flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dillon, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence13 claims · $638K
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $136K
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $22K
Dillon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dillon County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dillon
Disasters that paid out in Dillon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dillon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$14K to the City of Dillon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence1,515 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$52K to the City of Dillon for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $638K
- 2017Hurricane Irma$10K to the City of Dillon for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1,540 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$243K to the City of Dillon for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $136K
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$58K to the City of Dillon for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances293 households applied for aid$178K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$31K to the City of Dillon for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$2K to the City of Dillon for repairs
Dillon 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 Dillon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dillon archive →Dillon and its neighbors
Dillon has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon | Dmore damage than 86% | hurricanes | 18 |
| Newtown | — | 972 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Dillon 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.
- 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 Dillon
Is Dillon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dillon has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #124 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dillon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Dillon since 2016, $825K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (13).
Is Dillon 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 Dillon County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dillon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dillon’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 Dillon?
By FEMA money that reached Dillon, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 1,540 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $243K to the City of Dillon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 13 paid, $638K.
Is Dillon at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Dillon’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dillon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dillon’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.