Photo: Bubba73 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Hampton faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hampton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #128 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2005.
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 Hampton 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 Hampton’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hampton, and Hampton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 21% (lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
D #128 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hampton’s residents live in 3 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, Hampton has more expected damage per building than 76% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Hampton: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hampton flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hampton, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $27K
- Hurricane Idalia2 claims · $88K
Hampton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hampton County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hampton
Disasters that paid out in Hampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene480 households applied for aid$405K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds12 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$12K to the Town of Hampton for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew86 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$64K to the Town of Hampton for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $27K
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$38K to the Town of Hampton for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$33K to the Town of Hampton for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$8K to the Town of Hampton for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$2K to the Town of Hampton for repairs
Hampton County has had 16 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 Hampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hampton archive →Hampton and its neighbors
Hampton is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varnville | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Hampton | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 7 |
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 Hampton 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hampton
Is Hampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hampton has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #128 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Hampton since 2005, $138K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (2).
Is Hampton 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 Hampton County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hampton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hampton’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 Hampton?
By FEMA money that reached Hampton, Hurricane Helene (2024): 480 households applied for aid, $405K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 2 paid, $27K.
Is Hampton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Hampton’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hampton’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.