Photo: change-of-venue from Greenville, South Carolina, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Greenwood faces less hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenwood gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #25 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1998.
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 Greenwood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Greenwood 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Greenwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenwood, and Greenwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #25 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greenwood’s 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, Greenwood has less expected damage per building than 86% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Greenwood: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenwood flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greenwood, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms9 claims · $150K
- Hurricane Helene7 claims · $223K
Greenwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greenwood County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenwood
Disasters that paid out in Greenwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Greenwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene14,995 households applied for aid$12.0M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Greenwood for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $223K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding365 households applied for aid$413K aid approved$41K to the City of Greenwood for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$24K to the City of Greenwood for repairs
Greenwood County has had 13 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 Greenwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenwood archive →Get ready for what Greenwood 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Greenwood
Is Greenwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenwood has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #25 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greenwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Greenwood since 1998, $489K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (9).
Is Greenwood 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 Greenwood County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greenwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greenwood’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 Greenwood?
By FEMA money that reached Greenwood, Hurricane Helene (2024): 14,995 households applied for aid, $12.0M approved, and $1.1M to the City of Greenwood for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 9 paid, $150K.
Is Greenwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Greenwood’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenwood’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.