Joseph H. Rainey House · Photo: Federal, likely Cecil N. McKithan · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Georgetown, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Georgetown gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #161 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (78%), then river and rain flooding (11%). Flood insurance has paid 333 claims here since 1979.
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 Georgetown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Georgetown 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
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 Georgetown’s grade
Hurricanes are 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Georgetown, and Georgetown’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #161 of 169 in South Carolina; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Georgetown’s residents live in 5 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, Georgetown has more expected damage per building than 95% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.0M a year in losses across Georgetown: $10.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Georgetown flood? Yes: 333 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Georgetown, from FEMA’s records: 79.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hugo86 claims · $1.9M
- The October severe storms54 claims · $2.5M
- Hurricane Matthew41 claims · $1.4M
Georgetown is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Georgetown County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Georgetown
Disasters that paid out in Georgetown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Georgetown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian413 households applied for aid$373K aid approved$122K to the City of Georgetown for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $378K
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$140K to the City of Georgetown for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence279 households applied for aid$171K aid approved$154K to the City of Georgetown for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$55K to the City of Georgetown for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1,033 households applied for aid$771K aid approved$476K to the City of Georgetown for repairs41 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding2,708 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$184K to the City of Georgetown for repairs56 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$135K to the City of Georgetown for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances262 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Charley$162K to the City of Georgetown for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$115K to the City of Georgetown for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $140K
Georgetown County has had 19 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 Georgetown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Georgetown archive →Get ready for what Georgetown 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.
- 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.
- Georgetown residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Georgetown
Is Georgetown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Georgetown has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #161 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (78%) and river and rain flooding (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Georgetown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 333 claims in Georgetown since 1979, $10.0M in all, or 79.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 38 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Hugo (86).
Is Georgetown 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 Georgetown County, 20.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Georgetown?
Georgetown is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Georgetown?
By FEMA money that reached Georgetown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 2,708 households applied for aid, $3.7M approved, and $184K to the City of Georgetown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Hugo: 86 paid, $1.9M.
Is Georgetown at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Georgetown’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Georgetown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Georgetown’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.