Thorntree · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Kingstree than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingstree gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #141 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (57%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 2010.
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 Kingstree’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kingstree 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 Kingstree’s grade
Hurricanes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kingstree, and Kingstree’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 1%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #141 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kingstree’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, Kingstree has more expected damage per building than 83% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Kingstree: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kingstree flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kingstree, from FEMA’s records: 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms15 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Matthew4 claims · $90K
- Hurricane Idalia1 claim · $89K
Kingstree isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Williamsburg County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kingstree
Disasters that paid out in Kingstree itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kingstree), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew939 households applied for aid$922K aid approved$68K to the Town of Kingstree for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $90K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding2,471 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$95K to the Town of Kingstree for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$101K to the Town of Kingstree for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances971 households applied for aid$493K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Gaston$6K to the Town of Kingstree for repairs
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$108K to the Town of Kingstree for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$20K to the Town of Kingstree for repairs
Williamsburg County has had 19 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 Kingstree after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kingstree archive →Get ready for what Kingstree 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 Kingstree
Is Kingstree at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingstree has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #141 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (57%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kingstree flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Kingstree since 2010, $1.4M in all, or 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (15).
Is Kingstree 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 Williamsburg County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kingstree?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kingstree’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 Kingstree?
By FEMA money that reached Kingstree, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 2,471 households applied for aid, $3.5M approved, and $95K to the Town of Kingstree for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 15 paid, $1.2M.
Is Kingstree at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Kingstree’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kingstree.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kingstree’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.