Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Holly Hill than in 84% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holly Hill gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (40%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 2015.
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 Holly Hill 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 Holly Hill’s grade
Hurricanes are 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holly Hill, and Holly Hill’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Holly Hill’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $939K a year in losses across Holly Hill: $593K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holly Hill flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holly Hill, from FEMA’s records: 17.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms6 claims · $173K
- Hurricane Matthew4 claims · $213K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $6K
Holly Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orangeburg County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holly Hill
Disasters that paid out in Holly Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Holly Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene382 households applied for aid$967K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds37 households applied for aid$99K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence$8K to the Town of Holly Hill for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew212 households applied for aid$171K aid approved$18K to the Town of Holly Hill for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $213K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding866 households applied for aid$511K aid approved$34K to the Town of Holly Hill for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$6K to the Town of Holly Hill for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances2 households applied for aid$440 aid approved
Orangeburg County has had 20 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 Holly Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holly Hill archive →Get ready for what Holly Hill 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 Holly Hill
Is Holly Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holly Hill has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (40%) and earthquakes (30%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Holly Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Holly Hill since 2015, $392K in all, or 17.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (6).
Is Holly Hill 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 Orangeburg County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holly Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holly Hill’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 Holly Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Holly Hill, Hurricane Helene (2024): 382 households applied for aid, $967K approved. By flood claims, October severe storms: 6 paid, $173K.
Is Holly Hill at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Holly Hill’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holly Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holly Hill’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.