Fort Johnson/Powder Magazine · Photo: Conrad Wise Chapman · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in James Island than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, James Island gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #146 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (12%). Flood insurance has paid 75 claims here since 1989.
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 James Island’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What James Island 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
Coastal 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 James Island’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in James Island, and James Island’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #146 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
James Island’s residents live in 7 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, James Island has more expected damage per building than 86% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across James Island: $8.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does James Island flood? Sometimes: 75 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in James Island, from FEMA’s records: 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma37 claims · $1.2M
- The October severe storms20 claims · $207K
- The December nor’easter3 claims · $19K
James Island is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Charleston County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to James Island
Disasters that paid out in James Island itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of James Island), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian$15K to the Town of James Island for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$3K to the Town of James Island for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Charleston 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 James Island after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the James Island archive →James Island and its neighbors
James Island has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Island | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 75 |
| Charleston | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 5,206 |
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 James Island 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- James Island residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in James Island
Is James Island at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, James Island has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #146 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does James Island flood?
Flood insurance has paid 75 claims in James Island since 1989, $1.6M in all, or 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 19 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (37).
Is James Island 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 Charleston County, 78% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 31.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in James Island?
James Island is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in James Island?
By FEMA money that reached James Island, Hurricane Ian (2022): $15K to the Town of James Island for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 37 paid, $1.2M.
Is James Island at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and James Island’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in James Island.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where James Island’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.