Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Folly Beach than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Folly Beach gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then coastal flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 919 claims here since 1978.
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 Folly Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Folly Beach faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Folly Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Folly Beach, and Folly Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Folly Beach’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Folly Beach: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Folly Beach flood? Yes: 919 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Folly Beach, from FEMA’s records: 413.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hugo550 claims · $13.9M
- Hurricane Irma55 claims · $1.5M
- The October severe storms39 claims · $810K
Folly Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Charleston County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Folly Beach
Disasters that paid out in Folly Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Folly Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian4 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$36K to the City of Folly Beach for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $217K
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$96K to the City of Folly Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence$58K to the City of Folly Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$111K to the City of Folly Beach for repairs55 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew19 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$265K to the City of Folly Beach for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $325K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding78 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$45K to the City of Folly Beach for repairs43 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2004Tropical Storm Gaston$27K to the City of Folly Beach for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$39K to the City of Folly Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Charleston 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 Folly Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Folly Beach archive →Folly Beach and its neighbors
Folly Beach is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 5,206 |
| Folly Beach | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 919 |
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 Folly Beach 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Folly Beach residents get 35% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Folly Beach
Is Folly Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Folly Beach has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and coastal flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Folly Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 919 claims in Folly Beach since 1978, $18.2M in all, or 413.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 50 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Hugo (550).
Is Folly Beach 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 Charleston County, 78% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 31.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Folly Beach?
Folly Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3), which takes 35% 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 Folly Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Folly Beach, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 19 households applied for aid, $13K approved, and $265K to the City of Folly Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Hugo: 550 paid, $13.9M.
Is Folly Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Folly Beach’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Folly Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Folly Beach’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.