Photo: Dr. Blazer · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Forest Acres than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Acres gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #123 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 106 claims here since 1981.
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 Forest Acres’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Forest Acres 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
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 Forest Acres’ grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest Acres, and Forest Acres’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #123 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forest Acres’ residents live in 10 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, Forest Acres has more expected damage per building than 73% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.7M a year in losses across Forest Acres: $7.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest Acres flood? Yes: 106 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forest Acres, from FEMA’s records: 19.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms74 claims · $6.6M
- Hurricane Helene2 claims · $34K
- Hurricane Hanna1 claim · $11K
Forest Acres isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Richland County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forest Acres
Disasters that paid out in Forest Acres itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Forest Acres), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$58K to the City of Forest Acres for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $34K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$7K to the City of Forest Acres for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$105K to the City of Forest Acres for repairs76 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$26K to the City of Forest Acres for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$15K to the City of Forest Acres for repairs
Richland 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 Forest Acres after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest Acres archive →Forest Acres and its neighbors
Forest Acres is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentsville | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Woodfield | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Columbia | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 472 |
| Forest Acres | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 106 |
| Arcadia Lakes | — | 901 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 Forest Acres 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.
- 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 Forest Acres
Is Forest Acres at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Acres has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #123 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forest Acres flood?
Flood insurance has paid 106 claims in Forest Acres since 1981, $6.9M in all, or 19.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (74).
Is Forest Acres 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 Richland County, 69% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Forest Acres?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest Acres’ 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 Forest Acres?
By FEMA money that reached Forest Acres, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 7 households applied for aid, $5K approved, and $105K to the City of Forest Acres for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 74 paid, $6.6M.
Is Forest Acres at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Forest Acres’ rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest Acres.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest Acres’ 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.