On FEMA’s figures, Ladson faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ladson gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #152 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (60%), then earthquakes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 Ladson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ladson 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 Ladson’s grade
Hurricanes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ladson, and Ladson’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 21%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #152 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ladson’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, Ladson has more expected damage per building than 90% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.1M a year in losses across Ladson: $10.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ladson flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ladson, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms22 claims · $280K
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $22K
- Hurricane Debby2 claims · $26K
Ladson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berkeley County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ladson
Disasters that paid out in Ladson itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ladson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds3 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Matthew303 households applied for aid$226K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding661 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved22 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances9 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Berkeley 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 Ladson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ladson archive →Ladson and its neighbors
Ladson is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 57 |
| Ladson | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 36 |
| Sangaree | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 1 |
| North Charleston | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 420 |
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 Ladson 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 Ladson
Is Ladson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ladson has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #152 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (60%) and earthquakes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ladson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Ladson since 1989, $516K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from October severe storms (22).
Is Ladson 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 Berkeley County, 82% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ladson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ladson’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 Ladson?
By FEMA money that reached Ladson, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 661 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved. By flood claims, October severe storms: 22 paid, $280K.
Is Ladson at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Ladson’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ladson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ladson’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.