Photo: Evanoco · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lake City than in 77% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #122 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (42%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1986.
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 Lake City 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
Tornadoes
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 Lake City’s grade
Hurricanes are 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake City, and Lake City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #122 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake City’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, Lake City has more expected damage per building than 72% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Lake City: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake City flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake City, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms2 claims · $10K
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $12K
Lake City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Florence County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake City
Disasters that paid out in Lake City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lake City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$10K to the City of Lake City for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence21 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Matthew858 households applied for aid$594K aid approved$312K to the City of Lake City for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $12K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding1,608 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$21K to the City of Lake City for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$188K to the City of Lake City for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances326 households applied for aid$123K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$105K to the City of Lake City for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$34K to the City of Lake City for repairs
Florence County has had 18 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 Lake City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake City archive →Get ready for what Lake City 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Lake City
Is Lake City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake City has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #122 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (42%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Lake City since 1986, $29K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (2).
Is Lake City 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 Florence County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lake City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake City’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 Lake City?
By FEMA money that reached Lake City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 1,608 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $21K to the City of Lake City for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 2 paid, $10K.
Is Lake City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Lake City’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake City’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.