Cannon Building · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Fountain Inn than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fountain Inn gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #14 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%). 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 Fountain Inn 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Ice storms
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 Fountain Inn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fountain Inn, and Fountain Inn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #14 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fountain Inn’s residents live in 8 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, Fountain Inn has less expected damage per building than 92% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Fountain Inn: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fountain Inn flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Fountain Inn. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Fountain Inn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greenville County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fountain Inn
Disasters that paid out in Fountain Inn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fountain Inn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene5,213 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$474K to the City of Fountain Inn for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$503 aid approved
- 2005Severe Ice Storm$124K to the City of Fountain Inn for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances1 households applied for aid$222 aid approved
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$54K to the City of Fountain Inn for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$33K to the City of Fountain Inn for repairs
Greenville County has had 16 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Greenville County, 2016–2025.
Old photos of Fountain Inn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fountain Inn archive →Fountain Inn and its neighbors
Fountain Inn has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain Inn | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Simpsonville | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Fountain Inn 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Fountain Inn
Is Fountain Inn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fountain Inn has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #14 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Fountain Inn 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 Greenville County, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fountain Inn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fountain Inn’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 Fountain Inn?
By FEMA money that reached Fountain Inn, Hurricane Helene (2024): 5,213 households applied for aid, $3.5M approved, and $474K to the City of Fountain Inn for repairs.
Is Fountain Inn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Fountain Inn’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fountain Inn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fountain Inn’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.