Photo: Florence Conventions and Visitors Bureau · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Florence’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Florence gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #118 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 61 claims here since 1989.
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 Florence’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Florence 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 Florence’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Florence, and Florence’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 32% (lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
C #118 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Florence’s residents live in 19 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, Florence has more expected damage per building than 70% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.6M a year in losses across Florence: $15.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Florence flood? Sometimes: 61 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Florence, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew26 claims · $722K
- The October severe storms10 claims · $67K
- Hurricane Hanna1 claim · $3K
Florence is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Florence County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Florence
Disasters that paid out in Florence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Florence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene23 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$97K to the City of Florence for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian$11K to the City of Florence for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence306 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$64K to the City of Florence for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew2,937 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$2.6M to the City of Florence for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $722K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding2,304 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$15K to the City of Florence for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$226K to the City of Florence for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances132 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$146K to the City of Florence for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$23K to the City of Florence for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Florence 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 Florence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Florence archive →Florence and its neighbors
Florence 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 61 |
| Quinby | — | 858 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 Florence 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.
- Florence residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Florence
Is Florence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Florence has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #118 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Florence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 61 claims in Florence since 1989, $1.1M in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (26).
Is Florence 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 Florence County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Florence?
Florence is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Florence?
By FEMA money that reached Florence, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 2,937 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $2.6M to the City of Florence for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 26 paid, $722K.
Is Florence at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Florence’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Florence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Florence’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.