Photo: Upstateherd · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Edgefield’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edgefield gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #51 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (12%). 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 stands out about Edgefield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Edgefield 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
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
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 Edgefield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Edgefield, and Edgefield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #51 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Edgefield’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, Edgefield has less expected damage per building than 70% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $567K a year in losses across Edgefield: $371K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Edgefield flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Edgefield. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Edgefield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Edgefield County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Edgefield
Disasters that paid out in Edgefield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Edgefield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,982 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$39K to the Town of Edgefield for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$22K to the Town of Edgefield for repairs
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$28K to the Town of Edgefield for repairs
Edgefield County has had 15 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 Edgefield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Edgefield archive →Get ready for what Edgefield 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Edgefield
Is Edgefield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edgefield has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #51 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Edgefield 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 Edgefield County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Edgefield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Edgefield’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 Edgefield?
By FEMA money that reached Edgefield, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,982 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $39K to the Town of Edgefield for repairs.
Is Edgefield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Edgefield’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Edgefield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Edgefield’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.