Photo: Itsbrandoyo · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Goose Creek than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goose Creek gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #148 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 57 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 Goose Creek’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Goose Creek faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 Goose Creek’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Goose Creek, and Goose Creek’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 20% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #148 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Goose Creek’s residents live in 16 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, Goose Creek has more expected damage per building than 88% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $38.4M a year in losses across Goose Creek: $28.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Goose Creek flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Goose Creek, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms24 claims · $251K
- Hurricane Matthew7 claims · $160K
- Hurricane Debby2 claims · $41K
Goose Creek isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berkeley County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Goose Creek
Disasters that paid out in Goose Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Goose Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian$106K to the City of Goose Creek for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds16 households applied for aid$10K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$47K to the City of Goose Creek for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence$47K to the City of Goose Creek for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew290 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$53K to the City of Goose Creek for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $160K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding868 households applied for aid$414K aid approved24 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances29 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Gaston$35K to the City of Goose Creek for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$26K to the City of Goose Creek for repairs
Berkeley 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 Goose Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Goose Creek archive →Goose Creek and its neighbors
Goose Creek has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 57 |
| Charleston | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 5,206 |
| Ladson | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 36 |
| Hanahan | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 187 |
| North Charleston | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 420 |
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 Goose Creek 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Goose Creek
Is Goose Creek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goose Creek has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #148 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Goose Creek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Goose Creek since 1979, $780K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (24).
Is Goose Creek 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 Berkeley County, 82% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Goose Creek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Goose Creek’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 Goose Creek?
By FEMA money that reached Goose Creek, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 868 households applied for aid, $414K approved. By flood claims, October severe storms: 24 paid, $251K.
Is Goose Creek at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Goose Creek’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Goose Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Goose Creek’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.