Photo: BeaufortTiger · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hardeeville than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hardeeville 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 (82%), then river and rain flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1995.
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 Hardeeville 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
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 Hardeeville’s grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hardeeville, and Hardeeville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 13% (lower than 64% 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).
Hardeeville’s residents live in 4 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, Hardeeville has more expected damage per building than 95% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Hardeeville: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hardeeville flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hardeeville, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew5 claims · $154K
- Hurricane Debby2 claims · $136K
Hardeeville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hardeeville
Disasters that paid out in Hardeeville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hardeeville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene588 households applied for aid$562K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$11K to the City of Hardeeville for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian$19K to the City of Hardeeville for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$24K to the City of Hardeeville for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence$22K to the City of Hardeeville for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$23K to the City of Hardeeville for repairs
Show all 8
- 2016Hurricane Matthew356 households applied for aid$123K aid approved$179K to the City of Hardeeville for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $154K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$7K to the City of Hardeeville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Jasper County has had 14 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.
Old photos of Hardeeville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hardeeville archive →Get ready for what Hardeeville 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.
- 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 Hardeeville
Is Hardeeville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hardeeville 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 (82%) and river and rain flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hardeeville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Hardeeville since 1995, $352K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (5).
Is Hardeeville 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 Jasper County, 60% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 17.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hardeeville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hardeeville’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 Hardeeville?
By FEMA money that reached Hardeeville, Hurricane Helene (2024): 588 households applied for aid, $562K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 5 paid, $154K.
Is Hardeeville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Hardeeville’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hardeeville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hardeeville’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.