FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Forestbrook than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forestbrook gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #140 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (70%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 68 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 Forestbrook 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
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 Forestbrook’s grade
Hurricanes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forestbrook, and Forestbrook’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 22% (lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
D #140 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forestbrook’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, Forestbrook has more expected damage per building than 83% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Forestbrook: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forestbrook flood? Sometimes: 68 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forestbrook, from FEMA’s records: 20.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd14 claims · $373K
- Hurricane Matthew9 claims · $339K
- Hurricane Florence3 claims · $26K
Forestbrook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Horry County.The storms Forestbrook remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Horry County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Forestbrook itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199914 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations, declared for Horry County
- 19949 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20019 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Horry County has had 19 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Horry County, 2001–2025.
Old photos of Forestbrook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forestbrook archive →Get ready for what Forestbrook 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.
- 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 Forestbrook
Is Forestbrook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forestbrook has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #140 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (70%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forestbrook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 68 claims in Forestbrook since 1981, $1.3M in all, or 20.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (14).
Is Forestbrook 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 Horry County, 14.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Forestbrook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forestbrook’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 Forestbrook?
By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 14 paid, $373K.
Is Forestbrook at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Forestbrook’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forestbrook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forestbrook’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.